The Poetry of Cao Zhi

Cao Zhi (192-232) is widely recognized as one of China's foremost pre-modern poets, yet to this day there has been no scholarly English translation of all of his poetry. This book remedies that deficit, supplying carefully annotated translations and text critical notes. It is intended for general readers and scholars alike. Cao Zhi and his fellow Jian'an period poets made important contributions to the development of many of the literary forms, topics, conventions, and practices that were to endure throughout subsequent ages. Presented here are not only poems designated shi and yuefu, but also Cao's fu (rhapsodies), lei (dirges), and other works employing rhyme. Chinese and English texts appear on facing pages, and there is a two-level system of annotation: footnotes provide explanations of names and terms in the translation, while endnotes provide information on textual issues, problems of meaning or translation, sources and allusions, and other matters. This book provides an important introduction into the world of early medieval Chinese literature for readers of poetry and will be useful to scholars and students of Chinese literature in reading and understanding Cao Zhi's works.