What are some famous romantic dreams in literary history?

Dreams, although often regarded as a subject of lesser sophistication, have had a profound impact on literary creation throughout history. Many literary masters have explored dreams as a theme in their works. In the history of Eastern literature, numerous literary works revolve around the theme of dreams. The earliest example can be found in the "Book of Songs," which contains descriptions of dreams. Cao Zhi's "Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River" originated from a dream, and Tang Dynasty poetry and Song Dynasty lyrics also feature dream-related chapters, such as Li Bai's "Visiting the Goddess on Mount Lu and Parting Words" and Li He's "Dream of Heaven," as well as Su Shi's "Song of the River City."

In the Yuan and Ming dynasties, there was a surge in theatrical plays with dreams as their foundation. Examples include Guan Hanqing's "The Butterfly Dream," "The Scarlet Dream," and "The Dream of the West Chamber." Tang Xianzu's renowned "Four Dreams in Linchuan" can be considered as a pinnacle of dream literature. His four works, "The Purple Hairpin," "The Peony Pavilion," "The Dream in the Garden," and "The Dream of Handan," all revolve around dreams as the main thematic thread, employing techniques filled with dreamlike qualities, particularly evident in "The Dream in the Garden" and "The Dream of Handan."

In the Qing Dynasty, Cao Xueqin's "Dream of the Red Chamber" elevated dream literature to its zenith. While depicting reality, it also endeavored to shape an ideal world within the realm of dreams. Reality and fantasy intertwine, blurring the line between truth and illusion, captivating the readers.

The artistic creations of modern writers were directly influenced by the dream narratives of the Ming and Qing dynasties. In Lu Xun's "A Madman's Diary," Guo Moruo's "Remnants of Spring," and Mao Dun's "Midnight," there are numerous depictions of dreams. Through these dream descriptions, they express the contradictions and issues of reality.