Chinese Poetry

(c. sixth century B.C.)

Lao-tze

Old master He looked to the

mysteries of nature.

Author of Tao Te

Ching, one of the two basic texts of Taoist philosophy.

 He considered
himself to be a Transmitter of Truth. importance of moral conduct. Tradition

Confucius

Emphasizes

A Teacher of No writings of his

own hand are known

Tao Te Ching
Life: a mystery that cannot be
simultaneously allow it.

by Lao Tzu by Lao Tzu

understood or even described by conventional means.

One must rid oneself of desire, but, Aphorisms are short statements
expressing general truths or principles.

 Confucianism: social philosophy

concerned with the moral nature of social relationships.

He advises caution and punctuality. Confucius, as The Master, believed

that promises should be made carefully so that they can be kept.

Tao Te Ching The Analects Context Language Concept Level Literary merit
Early Chinese Taoist philosophy Syntax: many different phrases The philosophy of Confucianism. Each aphorism starts with the phrase The Master said,...

Respect the order of Keep your promises the universe. Challenging Taoist Meaningful Confusian aphorisms aphorisms

The Book of Songs

Sh Jng Sh Jng Sh Jng

Shih Poetry
Dominant Chinese poetic form for
the second through the twelfth centuries.

Shih lines have five or seven words. They rhyme and use parallelism.

Tao Chien
Simple and Vision of
direct style. tranquility in a chaotic world.

Li Po
Master of Lived
Chinese poetry. extravagantly. women, and song.

Love of wine,

 Younger
poetry.

Tu Fu

contemporary of Li Po.

Craftman of shih His poems

reveal his love for nature, family, and friends.

I Beg of You, Chung Tzu

The speaker worries about how her
family and community will feel about her beloved Chung Tzu.

Her conflict remains unresolved.

Thick Grow the Rush Leaves

The rush leaves symbolize the Here, unlike in I Beg of
speakers growing and vibrant love. You, Chung Tzu, the conflict is resolved and the speaker finds her beloved.

FORM, SHADOW, SPIRIT

by Tao Chien Form addresses Shadow and by Tao Chien
points out that people live only a short time and vanish entirely when they die. during life means nothing at the moment of death. humans are ephemeral.

Spirit believed that status enjoyed Natural elements are eternal but

I BUILT MY HOUSE WHERE OTHERS DWELL

When the heart is far the place of

itself is distant, means that one can achieve solitude even when in a crowded place.

The narrator built his house in a

crowded mountain but he could still achieve tranquility and solitude within it.

The RiverMerchants Wife

by Li

Po This ballad tells the story of the

speakers love for her husband, a love that has evolved over a number of years. her husband.

She laments the present absence of The first line of each stanza moves
the plot forward in time.

 Exchange of friendly put-downs

between two rival poets--witty, possibly flattering.

Addressed Humorously to Tu Fu by Li Po

Sent to Li Po as a Gift
by Tu Fu

Li Pos tone shows that his

relationship with Tu Fu was close and open. critical of, his extravagant excess.

Tu Fu is worried about, and even

Thank You