Poetry
3 min readIn order to understand Western literature, it is necessary to read its ancient epics and dra-matic works. To understand Chinese literature, it is necessary to turn to its poetry. Poetry is the most representative genre of classical Chinese literature, fully embodying the lyricism of the Chinese literary tradition. China’s classical poets used poetry to express emotions and give voice to aspirations, constantly innovating and developing their art in the pursuit of this goal.
China’s earliest collections of poetry were ShiJing(The Book of Songs), compiled during the Spring and Autumn Period(770-476 BC), and Chu Ci(Poetry of Chu), written by Qu Yuan(340-278 BC) and other poets during the Warring States Period(475-221 BC). Shi Jing(The Book of Songs) consists of two parts. The first is comprised of folk songs which describe the work, life, and loves of the common people. The second records the rites and ceremonies of the nobility, using ornate verse to convey the solemnity and grandeur of these occasions. Qu Yuan created a new form of verse that came to be referred to as”poetry of Chu.”Li Sao(The Lament or Encountering Sorrow) is one of Qu Yuan’s most famous works, filled with highly personal emotion. Expressing the poet’s innermost thoughts and uncertainties, this is the first poem to vividly describe the conflict between the individual and society. Complex emotions such aslove of country, concern for the people, and resistance to fate permeate Qu Yuan’s moving declaration of self.
The lyric tradition established by ShiJing(The Book of Songs) and Chu Ci(Poetry of Chu) wasinherited and developed in later Chinese poetry, eventually giving rise to the romantic and realist schools. These two major genres produced many famous poets during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). The most outstanding of these were Li Bai(701-762 AD) and Du Fu(712-770AD). The poetic form known as shi was also established during this time. This highly formalized form uses lines five or seven characters in length.
During the Song Dynasty (960-1276 AD), social changes brought about the decline of shi and the rise of a new poetic genre known as ci. Cihad its origins in the lyrics of folk songs, which were later expanded into a poetic form. The format of ci poems was freer than that of shi poems, consisting of both long and short lines. There were two schools of Song Dynasty cipoetry, one bold and unconstrained, the other graceful and reserved, and both equally lyrical.
By the time of the Yuan Dynasty(1271-1368 AD), the height of ci poetry had also passed and a new poetic genre, known as qu, appeared. Derived from a type of popular entertainment known as shuochang(story-song), qu consisted of verse that was sung. This form was developed considerably by Yuan Dynasty poets.
Modern Chinese poetry draws from the best aspects of Western poetry. The use of straightforward, easily understandable language has given rise to a new literary genre known as xinshi (new poetry), free verse written in the vernacular. Chinese new poetry continues to employ traditional word-crafting techniques, along with a much freer format. There are numerous styles, many of which preserve the lyricism of traditional Chinese poetry.
Portrait of Li Bai(701-762 AD) Detail of Luoshen Fu Tu(Nymph of the Luo River), by Gu Kaizhi(345-406 AD), inspired by sanwen essay of the same name by Cao Zhi(192-232 AD).
