Selected Poems of the Three Caos -- Classics of Classical Poetry

Author: Sun Mingjun, selected and annotated
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-08-01
Features: Poetry is one of the most profound and captivating forms of classical Chinese literature. It fully embodies the characteristics of the Chinese language, combining the artistic qualities of literature and music. In its concise form, it contains rich and profound meanings, making it favored by both authors and readers. The widespread participation in poetry is unparalleled by other forms. To this day, poetry still has a large number of enthusiasts both domestically and internationally: numerous self-formed amateur writing groups, a wealth of related reading materials, and a multitude of poetry websites all demonstrate the strong vitality of this classical form in the modern era. Cao Cao, Cao Pi, and Cao Zhi are collectively known as the "Three Caos" and are considered the most outstanding poets of the Jian'an period. They had a deep appreciation for poetry and prose. Not only did they promote literature as emperors and nobles, contributing to the golden age of five-character ancient-style poetry, but they also practiced it themselves, creating renowned masterpieces with distinct styles: Cao Cao's poetry is mournful and heroic, with a profound and powerful rhythm; Cao Pi's poetry is delicate, meticulous, fresh, and bright; Cao Zhi's poetry is full of vigor and passion, with an expressive and moving quality, exerting a profound and far-reaching influence on later poets. This book, based on the latest research findings in academia, carefully selects 19 poems by Cao Cao, 39 poems by Cao Pi, and 70 poems by Cao Zhi, each accompanied by title explanations and annotations, providing great help for a deeper understanding of the works of the Three Caos.