The Poetry of Cao Zhi (Library of Chinese Humanities)

Open Access This book provides a translation of the complete poems and __fu__ of Cao Zhi (192–232), one of China’s most famous poets. Cao Zhi lived during a tumultuous age, a time of intrepid figures and of bold and violent acts that have captured the Chinese imagination across the centuries. His father Cao Cao (155–220) became the most powerful leader in a divided empire, and on his death, Cao Zhi’s elder brother Cao Pi (187–226) engineered the abdication of the last Han emperor, establishing himself as the founding emperor of the Wei Dynasty (220–265). Although Cao Zhi wanted to play an active role in government and military matters, he was not allowed to do so, and he is remembered as a writer. __The Poetry of Cao Zhi__ contains in its body one hundred twenty-eight pieces of poetry and __fu__. The extant editions of Cao Zhi’s writings differ in the number of pieces they contain and present many textual variants. The translations in this volume are based on a valuable edition of Cao’s works by Ding Yan (1794–1875), and are supplemented by robust annotations, a brief biography of Cao Zhi, and an introduction to the poetry by the translator. * First complete English translation of Cao’s poems and __fu__ * Provides insight into the poetry and poetic practices of a formative age in classical Chinese poetry * Rich in information on early Chinese history and culture * Chinese texts on facing pages Zusammenfassung: This volume provides a translation of the complete poems and fu of the early medieval poet Cao Zhi (192-232), one of the most celebrated figures in Chinese literary history. The translation is based on a valuable critical edition of Cao's works by Ding Yan (1794-1875). In addition to the translation, the present work also offers robust textual notes of its own, a brief biography of Cao Zhi, and an introduction to his poetry--back cover This is the first complete translation of the poetry of Cao Zhi, a major figure from the formative age of classical Chinese poetry. The translations take the reader beyond anthology pieces to present a more complete view of the literary practices and concerns of Cao Zhi and his contemporaries. A number of works not previously available in English are included here, enhancing our understanding of the culture of China's early medieval period