Cao Zhi
Cao Zhi

Cao Zhi Chinese: 曹植; 192 – 27 December 232), courtesy name Zijian (Chinese: 子建), self-proclaimed King Chen (陈王), was a prince of the state of Cao Wei in the Three Kingdoms period of China, and an accomplished poet in his time.

Cao Cao's third son,he was pampered by Cao Cao for his intellegence and gift in his youthhood.When Cao Pi mounted the throne,he was suspected and persecuted until he died of depression.He achieved the highest success in Jian'an literature,especially in the field of five-syllabic poems.His poems are elegant and lofty.Many of his famous pieces represent the summit of Jian'an poetry.

Cao Zhi Famous Poems

    • ○ To Cao Biao,Prince of Baima (赠白马王彪（并序）)
      "This poem portrays Cao Zhi's complex emotions—a tangled web of terror, sorrow, resentment and fury—while profoundly exposing the acute contradictions within the ruling class."
    • ○ Lamentations (七哀诗)
      "Cao Zhi"
    • ○ A Pretty Maiden (美女篇)
      "Cao Zhi"
    • ○ In the Capital (名都篇)
      "This poem chiefly depicts the games and feasting of the youths of the capital, reflecting the lifestyle of the idle aristocrats of that era."
    • ○ Sparrows in the Wild Field (野田黄雀行)
      "Cao Zhi"
    • ○ The Lute Song (箜篌引)
      "Cao Zhi"
    • ○ Shrimps and Eels (鰕䱇篇)
      "Cao Zhi"
    • ○ Seven Pace Song (七步诗)
      "This poem uses the metaphor of beanstalks and beans, which are born from the same root, to compare brothers who share the same father and mother, and uses the metaphor of beanstalks frying their beans to compare Cao Pi, a brother of the same…"
    • ○ A White Steed (白马篇)
      "Cao Zhi"
    More Masterpieces to Explore
    Song of Sunset on the River
    Song of Sunset on the River
    "This poem was written before Bai Juyi bec…"
    With My Brother at the South Study Thinking in the Moonlight of Vice-prefect Cui in Shanyin
    With My Brother at the South Study Thinking in the Moonlight of Vice-prefect Cui in Shanyin
    "Five-character-ancient-verseThis poem was…"
    An Autumn Night Message to Qiu
    An Autumn Night Message to Qiu
    "Five-character-quatrainQiu Dan, a friend …"
    Farewell to Vice-prefect Du Setting Out For His Official Post in Shu
    Farewell to Vice-prefect Du Setting Out For His Official Post in Shu
    "Five-character-regular-verseWritten by Wa…"
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