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Du FuChinese poet of the Tang Dynasty
Date of Birth: .
Country:  China |
Content:
- Du Fu: The Sage of Poetry
- Early Life and Travels
- Arrival in the Capital
- Rebellion and Exile
- Imperial Advisor
- Exile and Resignation
- Travels and Death
- Legacy
- Friendship with Li Bai
- Accolades
Du Fu: The Sage of Poetry
Du Fu (712-770), also known as Zimei, was a renowned poet of the Tang dynasty and one of the most celebrated figures in Chinese literature.
Early Life and Travels
Du Fu hailed from Henan and spent his youth traveling extensively throughout China. He sought inspiration from different cultures and landscapes, expanding his poetic horizons.
Arrival in the Capital
Upon arriving in the capital, Du Fu obtained a minor government post. However, his career was largely overshadowed by the An Lushan Rebellion in 755.
Rebellion and Exile
During the rebellion, Du Fu was forced to flee the capital with the imperial entourage. His family remained stranded in Chang'an, and he lost contact with them for an extended period.
Imperial Advisor
After the rebellion was quelled, Du Fu was appointed an advisor to the young Emperor Suzong. He enjoyed the privilege of criticizing the emperor, but his candor led to his imprisonment.
Exile and Resignation
Despite being pardoned by the emperor, Du Fu retired from government service in 759. He lived in seclusion in a hut outside Chengdu for four years.
Travels and Death
In 765, Du Fu reunited with his family and traveled to the southern reaches of China. He passed away in his boat on the Yangtze River during another journey.
Legacy
Du Fu left behind an immense poetic legacy of over 1,400 poems. His works are diverse in style and content, ranging from quatrains to extended poems. He is particularly renowned for his poems that intertwine his own suffering with the plight of the Chinese people.
Friendship with Li Bai
Du Fu and Li Bai, another literary giant of the Tang dynasty, shared a close and enduring friendship. They are often mentioned together as two of the greatest poetic geniuses of all time.
Accolades
Du Fu was revered by his contemporaries and was known as "the Sage of Poetry." His profound insights and eloquent verse continue to inspire and resonate with readers to this day.
