The Presentation of Love in Tang Dynasty Poetry
“The Tang Dynasty (618 AD–907 AD) was a period of unequaled magnificence in Chinese history. During this time, Chinese armies marched across Central Asia, prompting an influx of foreign peoples, wealth, and ideas into China”(Gardner). As a result, there is likely to have been a prominent spread of ideas and styles (such as the spread of Buddhism and Daosim) that may have impacted the ideologies of people living during this era. Popular ways for people to document their time while living during The Tang Dynasty was through art and poetry. “Although few examples of Tang painting exist today, many art historians regard the early Tang dynasty as the golden age of Chinese figure painting” (Gardner) …show more content…
At first Li Bai is drinking alone, yet, he is aware of the moon's presence and proceeds to insinuate the moon as a companion. After the moon was unable to drink, Li Bai mentions his friend, the shadow, that was the result of the moonlight shining on his body. He immediately treats the shadow like a third person, along with himself and the moon. The description of the moon in this way displays the importance Li Bai places on the moon and the emotional connection he shares with it. Although at first it may seem as if Li Bai is simply writing about his time alone drinking and looking up at the sky, it is possible that the moon is more than just a companion to him in his times of solitude. The moon is something visible to everyone in the world, and therefore it is a way of spiritually connecting Li Bai to the other people he cares about during his times of solitude. Therefore the moon can be seen as vessel for Li Bai to express an emotional aspect of love towards Li Bais friends and family. Similar to the simplicity of Tang Dynasty line paintings, it seems poets such as Li Bai during the Tang Dynasty were capable of portraying substantial imagery and scenes without much detail in art through the use of language in poetry. As a result, Li Bai is able to portray a strong transcendent connection between him and his loved
“The Tang Dynasty (618 AD–907 AD) was a period of unequaled magnificence in Chinese history. During this time, Chinese armies marched across Central Asia, prompting an influx of foreign peoples, wealth, and ideas into China”(Gardner). As a result, there is likely to have been a prominent spread of ideas and styles (such as the spread of Buddhism and Daosim) that may have impacted the ideologies of people living during this era. Popular ways for people to document their time while living during The Tang Dynasty was through art and poetry. “Although few examples of Tang painting exist today, many art historians regard the early Tang dynasty as the golden age of Chinese figure painting” (Gardner) …show more content…
At first Li Bai is drinking alone, yet, he is aware of the moon's presence and proceeds to insinuate the moon as a companion. After the moon was unable to drink, Li Bai mentions his friend, the shadow, that was the result of the moonlight shining on his body. He immediately treats the shadow like a third person, along with himself and the moon. The description of the moon in this way displays the importance Li Bai places on the moon and the emotional connection he shares with it. Although at first it may seem as if Li Bai is simply writing about his time alone drinking and looking up at the sky, it is possible that the moon is more than just a companion to him in his times of solitude. The moon is something visible to everyone in the world, and therefore it is a way of spiritually connecting Li Bai to the other people he cares about during his times of solitude. Therefore the moon can be seen as vessel for Li Bai to express an emotional aspect of love towards Li Bais friends and family. Similar to the simplicity of Tang Dynasty line paintings, it seems poets such as Li Bai during the Tang Dynasty were capable of portraying substantial imagery and scenes without much detail in art through the use of language in poetry. As a result, Li Bai is able to portray a strong transcendent connection between him and his loved