Chinese Poetry
Things to Consider:
- Themes
- Imagery
- Buddhism and Taoism
- Chinese Literature Resources
- Poems of the T'ang Dynasty
** Homework Questions **
1281:
- Describe the major developments of the Medieval Chinese
period.
1283:
- How did the principles of Buddhism conflict with those of
Confucianism?
- In what ways was Buddhism like Christianity?
1283-84:
- How does Buddhism relate to Taoism (Daoism)?
1288:
- According to the editors, how does the classical literature
of the Song dynasty compare with that of the Tang?
Wang Wei (ca. 699-761)
1308:
- Describe the characteristics of Wang Wei's poetry.
1309-10:
- Describe how Wang Wei's poems reflect Buddhist thinking.
Make specific textual references.
Li Bo (701-762)
"The Sun Rises and Sets"
1312:
- Summarize the message of this poem.
"South of the Walls We Fought"
1312-13:
- Describe the speaker's attitude towards war in this poem.
"Bring in the Wine"
1313-14:
- Describe the speaker's attitude toward drinking in this
poem.
Other Discussion Questions:
1282:
- Why is the period from 220-589 called the "Period of
Disunion"?
- According to the editors, what was the significance
of Buddhism to this period?
- What are the "Four Noble Truths" of Buddhism?
1284:
- What are some of the practices associated with Taoism?
- What were some of the accomplishments of the Sui and Tang
dynasties?
1285:
- According to the editors, what was the most
influential invention during the Tang dynasty?
- According to the editors, for what is the Tang
dynasty most famous?
1304:
- Explain the role of poetry during the Tang dynasty.
1307:
- Explain the function of parallelism in Tang poetry.
1311:
- Why did his contemporaries call Li Bo "the banished
immortal" (1311)?
"Drinking Alone with the Moon"
1315:
- How does the message of this poem compare to the message of
"Bring in the Wine"? Be specific in your explanation.
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