Selected Du Fu Poems with Annotations and Criticisms -- A Series of Classical Literature Annotations and Criticisms by Renowned Scholars

Author: Lin Jizhong
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Publishing Date: July 1, 2004
Features: Du Fu (712–770) was a Tang Dynasty poet. His courtesy name was Zimei. His ancestral home was Xiangyang (now part of Hubei), and he was born in Gongxian, Henan. He once lived in the southern part of Chang'an and was recommended by Yan Wu as a deputy director of the military council in Chengdu, serving as an acting assistant director of the Ministry of Works. Later generations called him Du Shaoling and Du Gongbu. Du Fu was born into a family that valued Confucianism and had a literary tradition, being the grandson of the renowned poet Du Shenzhi. At the age of seven, he began writing poetry, and by the age of fifteen, he had gained fame. After the age of twenty, his life can be divided into four periods. From the 19th year of Emperor Xuanzong's Kaiyuan era (731) to the fourth year of the Tianbao era (745), Du Fu lived a romantic life of "fine robes and horses in a reckless manner." He traveled extensively in Wu-Yue and the regions of Qi and Zhao. During this time, he failed the imperial examination in Luoyang. In the third year of the Tianbao era, he met Li Bai in Luoyang and became close friends. They parted in the autumn of the following year and never met again. During this period, Du Fu's surviving poems number over 20, mostly five-character regulated verse and five-character ancient verse, with Gazing at Mount Tai as a representative work. Du Fu's poetry exhibits diverse styles, encompassing the strengths of various forms, and he excelled in all genres while innovating anding new paths. His five-character ancient verse blends reflection, travel accounts, and emotional expression, achieving a profound and comprehensive realm, opening up new horizons for Tang Dynasty five-character ancient verse. Representative works include A Poem on the Way from Jing to Fengxian County, Northern Expedition, Qiang Village, To Wei Ba, the "Three Officials" (San Li), and the "Three Farewells" (San Bie). His seven-character ancient verse excels in expressing opinions, with a bold, melancholic, and unconventional style. Examples include A Poem for Zheng Guangwen after Drinking, Washing the Army, The Cottage Ruined by the Autumn Wind, and A Poem for the Year's End. His five- and seven-character regulated verse demonstrates exceptional skill. The five-character regulated verse includes Spring View, Lamenting Li Bai from Afar, A Postscript to a Journey, Joyful Rain at Night, Sentimental Thoughts by the Water Balustrade, Thoughts on a Night Journey, and Ascending Yueyang Tower. The seven-character regulated verse includes The Prime Minister of Shu, An Old Man, Hearing of the Recovery of Henan and Hebei by the Imperial Forces, Staying at the Official Residence, White Emperor, Five Poems on the Generals, Eight Poems of Autumn, and Ascending High Tower. Few Tang Dynasty regulated verse poems surpass these works. Du Fu also wrote many five-character parallel couplets and a few seven-character parallel couplets, greatly advancing the form. His A Hundred Rhymes of Lamenting in Kuifu in Autumn and Sending to Zheng Jian and Li Bai is as long as 1,000 characters. However, many of his parallel couplets are filled with allusions and serve as mere formalities. His quatrains express emotions on the spot, reflect current events, and pioneered the style in quatrains,ing a new path and making significant contributions. Du Fu's poetry covers a broad and profound range, with genuine and intense emotions. Artistically, it synthesizes the achievements of classical poetry while innovating and developing it. It greatly expanded the realm of poetry in both content and form, leaving a lasting impact on later generations. Du Fu was also revered by later generations as the Sage of Poetry. Du Fu's life was marked by hardship, and his poetry reflects this: "A hundred years of singing in sorrow, yet no true friend has been found" (Du Fu, Southward Expedition). However, after his death, he was highly praised by Fan Huang, Han Yu, Yuan Zhen, Bai Juyi, and others. Du Fu's poetry had a profound influence on the New Yuefu Movement's literary thought and Li Shangyin's regulated verse that satirized current events. However, Du Fu's poetry gained widespread recognition only after the Song Dynasty. Wang Yu, Wang Anshi, Su Shi, Huang Tingjian, and Lu You held Du Fu in the highest regard, while Wen Tianxiang regarded Du Fu's poetry as a spiritual force for upholding national integrity. The influence of Du Fu's poetry has long surpassed the boundaries of literature, from ancient times to the present.