Analysis of "安定城楼" - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

The poem "安定城楼" (Ān Dìng Chéng Lóu) was written by Li Shangyin (李商隐), one of the most celebrated poets of the late Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD). Known for his dense, allusive style and emotional depth, Li Shangyin often explored themes of political frustration, personal melancholy, and existential reflection.

This poem was composed during a period of exile when Li Shangyin was stationed in Anding (modern-day Gansu Province), a remote frontier region. It reflects his feelings of isolation, unfulfilled ambition, and philosophical resignation—a common sentiment among scholar-officials who faced political setbacks.

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

迢递高城百尺楼
Tiáo dì gāo chéng bǎi chǐ lóu
The towering city walls rise to a hundred-foot tower,

绿杨枝外尽汀洲
Lǜ yáng zhī wài jìn tīng zhōu
Beyond the green willow branches, the sandbars stretch far.

贾生年少虚垂涕
Jiǎ shēng nián shào xū chuí tì
Like young Jia Yi, I weep in vain for the state’s decline,

王粲春来更远游
Wáng Càn chūn lái gèng yuǎn yóu
Like Wang Can, I wander farther as spring arrives.

永忆江湖归白发
Yǒng yì jiāng hú guī bái fà
Forever dreaming of retiring to lakes and rivers with white hair,

欲回天地入扁舟
Yù huí tiān dì rù piān zhōu
Yet longing to turn the world before boarding a lone boat.

不知腐鼠成滋味
Bù zhī fǔ shǔ chéng zī wèi
Little do they know the rotten rat is no delicacy,

猜意鹓雏竟未休
Cāi yì yuān chú jìng wèi xiū
Yet they still suspect the noble phoenix of coveting it.

Line-by-Line Analysis

1. "The towering city walls rise to a hundred-foot tower"
   - The opening line sets a grand yet lonely scene, emphasizing the poet’s physical and emotional distance from the capital.

2. "Beyond the green willow branches, the sandbars stretch far"
   - The willows symbolize fleeting time, while the distant sandbars evoke a sense of exile.

3. "Like young Jia Yi, I weep in vain for the state’s decline"
   - Jia Yi was a Han Dynasty scholar who lamented political corruption. Li Shangyin compares himself to him, expressing frustration at his inability to enact change.

4. "Like Wang Can, I wander farther as spring arrives"
   - Wang Can was another exiled poet. The mention of spring contrasts with the poet’s sorrow, highlighting his displacement.

5. "Forever dreaming of retiring to lakes and rivers with white hair"
   - A Daoist-inspired longing for retreat, yet the poet is still tied to worldly ambitions.

6. "Yet longing to turn the world before boarding a lone boat"
   - He desires to achieve something great before retiring, reflecting Confucian ideals of service.

7. "Little do they know the rotten rat is no delicacy"
   - A metaphor for petty political gains, which he disdains.

8. "Yet they still suspect the noble phoenix of coveting it"
   - The phoenix (鹓雏, yuān chú) symbolizes purity and high ideals. Li Shangyin scorns those who misunderstand his intentions.

Themes and Symbolism

• Exile and Longing: The poem conveys the pain of separation from the capital and unfulfilled political aspirations.
• Contrast Between Idealism and Reality: The poet dreams of both achieving greatness and escaping worldly struggles.
• Historical Allusions: References to Jia Yi and Wang Can deepen the sense of shared suffering among exiled scholars.
• Nature Imagery: The willows and sandbars evoke transience and isolation.

Cultural Context

During the Tang Dynasty, scholar-officials like Li Shangyin were expected to serve the emperor, but political turmoil often led to exile. This poem reflects the Confucian-Daoist tension in Chinese thought—the duty to serve society versus the desire for personal freedom.

The phoenix and rotten rat metaphor comes from Zhuangzi, criticizing petty ambitions. Li Shangyin uses it to defend his integrity against slander.

Conclusion

"安定城楼" is a masterpiece of melancholy and defiance. Through vivid imagery and classical allusions, Li Shangyin captures the universal struggle between ambition and disillusionment. Even today, his words resonate with anyone who has faced misunderstanding or unfulfilled dreams. The poem endures not just as a historical artifact, but as a timeless meditation on the human condition.

Would you retreat to nature, or strive to change the world? Li Shangyin leaves us pondering this eternal question.