Analysis of "蟾宫曲·叹世" - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

The poem "蟾宫曲·叹世" (Chángōng Qǔ·Tàn Shì), also known as "Moon Palace Song: Lamenting the World", was written by Ma Zhiyuan (马致远), one of the "Four Great Yuan Drama Writers" and a master of sanqu poetry (散曲), a popular lyrical form during the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368).

Living in an era of Mongol rule, Ma Zhiyuan's works often reflect disillusionment with society and a longing for retreat. This poem is a quintessential example of his philosophical and melancholic style, blending Daoist detachment with vivid natural imagery. It remains celebrated for its poignant critique of worldly pursuits and its serene depiction of reclusion.

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

咸阳百二山河
Xiányáng bǎi'èr shānhé
The impregnable mountains and rivers of Xianyang,

两字功名
Liǎng zì gōngmíng
Two words: "fame and rank,"

几阵干戈
Jǐ zhèn gāngē
How many battles fought?

项废东吴
Xiàng fèi Dōngwú
Xiang Yu fell in Eastern Wu,

刘兴西蜀
Liú xīng Xīshǔ
Liu Bang rose in Western Shu,

梦说南柯
Mèng shuō Nánkē
Like a dream, the "Southern Branch" tale.

韩信功兀的般证果
Hán Xìn gōng wù de bān zhèng guǒ
Han Xin's achievements—what proof of karma?

蒯通言那里是风魔
Kuǎi Tōng yán nàlǐ shì fēngmó
Kuai Tong's words—were they really madness?

成也萧何
Chéng yě Xiāo Hé
Success came from Xiao He,

败也萧何
Bài yě Xiāo Hé
Ruin, too, from Xiao He.

醉了由他
Zuìle yóu tā
Drunk, I let the world be.

Line-by-Line Analysis

1. "Xianyang's impregnable mountains and rivers"
   - Xianyang, the Qin Dynasty capital, symbolizes power and impermanence. The "100-2" (百二) refers to its legendary defensibility, yet it fell despite its strength.

2. "Two words: 'fame and rank'"
   - Condemns the futility of chasing prestige, reduced to mere "two words." The tone is dismissive.

3. "How many battles fought?"
   - Rhetorical question highlighting the cyclical violence of dynastic struggles.

4. "Xiang Yu fell... Liu Bang rose"
   - References the Chu-Han Contention (206–202 BCE). Despite their rivalry, both outcomes are framed as equally meaningless.

5. "Southern Branch tale"
   - Alludes to the Tang fable The Governor of Nanke, where glory proves fleeting, like a dream.

6. Han Xin and Kuai Tong
   - Han Xin, a brilliant general, was executed despite his loyalty. Kuai Tong, his advisor, feigned madness to escape persecution. The poet questions whether virtue or wisdom guarantees safety.

7. "Success and ruin from Xiao He"
   - Xiao He helped Han Xin rise but later orchestrated his downfall. A critique of political betrayal.

8. "Drunk, I let the world be"
   - The speaker chooses intoxication (symbolizing detachment) over engagement with a corrupt world.

Themes and Symbolism

1. Transience of Power
   - Historical figures like Xiang Yu and Liu Bang are reduced to footnotes, underscoring the emptiness of conquest.

2. Daoist Resignation
   - The final line advocates wuwei (无为), or non-action, as the only sane response to chaos.

3. Nature vs. Human Folly
   - The "mountains and rivers" endure while empires crumble, echoing Daoist reverence for nature's permanence.

Cultural Context

• Written during the Yuan Dynasty, a time of ethnic tension under Mongol rule, the poem reflects scholars' disillusionment with political service. Many literati turned to Daoism or reclusion.
• The sanqu form, with its flexible structure and vernacular touches, allowed Ma Zhiyuan to blend high culture with biting satire.
• The poem critiques Confucian ideals of meritocracy, showing how even the worthy (like Han Xin) meet tragic ends.

Conclusion

"Moon Palace Song: Lamenting the World" is a masterpiece of existential reflection, weaving history, philosophy, and lyrical beauty. Its message—that worldly struggles are as fleeting as dreams—resonates across cultures and eras. For modern readers, it offers a timeless reminder to seek meaning beyond power and prestige, perhaps in the quiet harmony of nature or the freedom of detachment.

Ma Zhiyuan's genius lies in making despair sound serene, turning a sigh over history into an enduring work of art.