Analysis of "乌夜啼·昨夜风兼雨" - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

The poem "乌夜啼·昨夜风兼雨" (Wū Yè Tí · Zuó Yè Fēng Jiān Yǔ) is attributed to Li Yu (李煜), the last emperor of the Southern Tang Dynasty during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period (937–978). Known as a tragic poet-king, Li Yu's works often reflect his sorrow after his kingdom fell to the Song Dynasty. This particular poem captures a moment of profound loneliness and melancholy, written during his captivity. It stands as a masterpiece of the ci (词) poetry form, renowned for its emotional depth and vivid imagery.

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

昨夜风兼雨
Zuó yè fēng jiān yǔ
Last night, wind and rain together

帘帏飒飒秋声
Lián wéi sà sà qiū shēng
The curtains rustle with autumn's voice

烛残漏断频欹枕
Zhú cán lòu duàn pín yī zhěn
The candle gutters, the water clock stops—I toss on my pillow

起坐不能平
Qǐ zuò bù néng píng
Rising, sitting—I cannot find peace

世事漫随流水
Shìshì màn suí liúshuǐ
Worldly affairs drift away like flowing water

算来一梦浮生
Suàn lái yī mèng fúshēng
When reckoned, life is but a floating dream

醉乡路稳宜频到
Zuì xiāng lù wěn yí pín dào
The road to the land of drunkenness is steady—I should go often

此外不堪行
Cǐwài bùkān xíng
Beyond this, the path is unbearable

Line-by-Line Analysis

1. "Last night, wind and rain together"
   The opening line sets a somber tone, with the storm symbolizing turmoil—both in nature and in the poet's heart.

2. "The curtains rustle with autumn's voice"
   Autumn, a season of decay in Chinese poetry, mirrors Li Yu's lost kingdom and fading hope.

3. "The candle gutters, the water clock stops..."
   The dying candle and broken water clock (an ancient timekeeping device) emphasize endless, sleepless nights of despair.

4. "Worldly affairs drift away like flowing water"
   A Buddhist-influenced reflection on impermanence—his royal past now feels unreal, like water slipping through fingers.

5. "Life is but a floating dream"
   The phrase fúshēng (浮生) comes from Zhuangzi's philosophy, underscoring life's fleeting, illusory nature.

6. "The road to the land of drunkenness is steady..."
   Wine offers temporary escape, a common theme in Chinese poetry for those grappling with unchangeable fate.

Themes and Symbolism

• Transience: Wind, rain, and flowing water symbolize life's instability, echoing Daoist and Buddhist ideas.
• Captive's Anguish: The restless "tossing on the pillow" reveals Li Yu's torment as a deposed ruler.
• Escapism: Drunkenness is the only "steady" path, highlighting his powerless reality.

Cultural Context

Written during the Song Dynasty's consolidation of power, this poem reflects the ci genre's shift from romantic themes to personal lamentation. Li Yu's works became foundational for later poets like Su Shi, who expanded ci into philosophical realms. The poem also embodies wuyan (物哀), a Chinese-Japanese aesthetic of mourning life's fragility.

Conclusion

"乌夜啼·昨夜风兼雨" transcends its historical moment, offering universal insights into loss and the search for solace. For modern readers, it resonates as a meditation on how we confront irreversible change—whether in politics, personal life, or the natural world. Li Yu's raw vulnerability transforms his grief into art that still whispers across centuries.