Chinese poetry evolved from simple four-character lines to complex forms like fu. The Shijing and Chuci collections showcased early styles, while later works expanded on rhythm, structure, and themes.

Poets used rhyme, tonal patterns, imagery, and symbolism to create evocative verses. These techniques added depth and musicality to their work, allowing for rich expression of emotions and ideas.

Poetic Forms

Tetrasyllabic Verse and Chuci

• Tetrasyllabic verse consists of lines with four characters, creating a regular rhythm and structure
  • Commonly used in the Shijing (Book of Songs) and Chuci (Songs of Chu)
  • Allows for concise expression of ideas and emotions
• Chuci (Songs of Chu) is a collection of poems from the Warring States period (475-221 BCE)
  • Attributed to Qu Yuan and other poets from the southern state of Chu
  • Characterized by its unique style, which differs from the Shijing
  • Often expresses personal emotions, political criticism, and mythological themes (Lisao)

Fu (Rhapsody)

• Fu is a poetic form that emerged during the Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE)
  • Combines prose and verse to create a longer, more descriptive form of poetry
  • Often used to express political and social commentary or to showcase the poet's knowledge and literary skills
• Fu poems are characterized by their length, elaborate descriptions, and use of parallelism
  • Typically divided into sections, alternating between prose and verse
  • Covers a wide range of topics, including landscapes, objects, and historical events (Sima Xiangru's "Fu on the Mighty Huntsman")

Poetic Techniques

Rhyme and Tonal Patterns

• Chinese poetry employs various rhyme schemes to create a sense of unity and musicality
  • End rhymes, where the final characters of lines rhyme, are common in regulated verse forms
  • Internal rhymes, where characters within lines rhyme, are also used for added aesthetic effect
• Tonal patterns, based on the four tones of Middle Chinese, contribute to the melodic quality of poetry
  • Level (ping) and oblique (ze) tones alternate in specific patterns
  • Tonal patterns help to create a sense of rhythm and balance within the poem

Imagery, Symbolism, and Repetition

• Imagery is the use of vivid and descriptive language to create mental pictures in the reader's mind
  • Poets often draw upon nature, seasons, and emotions to evoke specific moods and themes (Li Bai's "Quiet Night Thought")
  • Imagery helps to engage the reader's senses and deepen their connection to the poem
• Symbolism involves the use of objects, colors, or natural phenomena to represent abstract ideas or emotions
  • Common symbols include the moon (loneliness), chrysanthemums (perseverance), and rivers (passage of time)
  • Symbols add depth and layers of meaning to the poem, inviting interpretation
• Repetition of words, phrases, or structures emphasizes key ideas and creates a sense of unity within the poem
  • Parallel structures, where lines or phrases are repeated with slight variations, are frequently employed (Cao Zhi's "Goddess of the Luo River")
  • Repetition can also be used to create a hypnotic or incantatory effect, drawing the reader into the poem's emotional landscape