Analysis of "临江仙·庭院深深深几许" - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

The poem "临江仙·庭院深深深几许" (Lín Jiāng Xiān·Tíng Yuàn Shēn Shēn Shēn Jǐ Xǔ) was written by Ouyang Xiu (欧阳修, 1007–1072), a prominent statesman, historian, and poet of the Northern Song Dynasty. Known for his contributions to ci poetry (lyrical poetry set to music), Ouyang Xiu was a key figure in classical Chinese literature.

This poem is a melancholic reflection on lost love, solitude, and the passage of time, themes that resonate deeply in Chinese literary tradition. Its delicate imagery and emotional depth make it one of the most celebrated ci poems of the Song Dynasty.

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

庭院深深深几许
Tíng yuàn shēn shēn shēn jǐ xǔ
How deep, how deep is the courtyard?

杨柳堆烟，帘幕无重数
Yáng liǔ duī yān, lián mù wú chóng shù
Willow trees shrouded in mist, layers upon layers of curtains.

玉勒雕鞍游冶处，楼高不见章台路
Yù lè diāo ān yóu yě chù, lóu gāo bú jiàn zhāng tái lù
Where the jade-bridled, carved-saddle horses roam, yet from this high tower, the road to pleasure is unseen.

雨横风狂三月暮
Yǔ héng fēng kuáng sān yuè mù
Rain sweeps sideways, wind rages—the end of March.

门掩黄昏，无计留春住
Mén yǎn huáng hūn, wú jì liú chūn zhù
The door shuts at dusk, with no way to keep spring here.

泪眼问花花不语，乱红飞过秋千去
Lèi yǎn wèn huā huā bù yǔ, luàn hóng fēi guò qiū qiān qù
Tearful eyes ask the flowers, but they do not speak—only scattered petals fly past the swing.

Line-by-Line Analysis

1. "How deep, how deep is the courtyard?"
   - The repetition of "deep" (深深深) emphasizes the isolation of the speaker, trapped in a secluded inner chamber.
   - The courtyard symbolizes confinement, possibly reflecting the restricted lives of women in feudal China.

2. "Willow trees shrouded in mist, layers upon layers of curtains."
   - Willows (杨柳) often symbolize parting and sorrow in Chinese poetry.
   - The mist and curtains create a dreamlike, suffocating atmosphere, reinforcing the theme of separation.

3. "Where the jade-bridled, carved-saddle horses roam..."
   - The luxurious horses suggest a pleasure-seeking lover who has left.
   - "Zhang Tai Road" (章台路) was a famous entertainment district, hinting at infidelity or abandonment.

4. "Rain sweeps sideways, wind rages—the end of March."
   - The stormy weather mirrors the speaker’s inner turmoil.
   - March (暮春) marks the end of spring, symbolizing fading youth and lost love.

5. "The door shuts at dusk, with no way to keep spring here."
   - Dusk (黄昏) is a traditional metaphor for loneliness and melancholy.
   - The futile attempt to "keep spring" reflects the inevitability of time’s passage.

6. "Tearful eyes ask the flowers, but they do not speak..."
   - The personification of flowers highlights the speaker’s desperation.
   - "Scattered petals" (乱红) symbolize fragmented hopes and beauty lost to time.

Themes and Symbolism

1. Loneliness and Abandonment

• The poem portrays a woman waiting in vain for a lover who has moved on.
• The deep courtyard and shut door represent her emotional and physical isolation.

2. The Passage of Time

• Spring’s end signifies lost youth and beauty, a common theme in Song Dynasty ci poetry.
• The flying petals suggest fleeting happiness.

3. Nature as a Mirror of Emotion

• The storm, willows, and flowers all reflect the speaker’s sorrow.
• This technique, called "借景抒情" (jiè jǐng shū qíng), uses scenery to convey feelings.

Cultural Context

• Song Dynasty Ci Poetry: Unlike shi poetry, ci was originally sung, with strict tonal patterns. Ouyang Xiu helped elevate it as a literary form.
• Women’s Roles: The poem subtly critiques the constraints on women, who were often confined to inner chambers.
• Philosophical Influence: The melancholy tone aligns with Daoist and Buddhist ideas about impermanence.

Conclusion

"临江仙·庭院深深深几许" is a masterpiece of emotional depth and lyrical beauty. Its portrayal of loneliness, fleeting time, and unspoken sorrow transcends centuries, resonating with readers even today.

For modern audiences, the poem serves as a reminder of love’s fragility and the universal struggle against time’s relentless march. Ouyang Xiu’s genius lies in making personal grief feel timeless—a whisper from the past that still echoes in the heart.

Would you weep, like the speaker, for petals that cannot stay? Or would you, like the flowers, remain silent and let sorrow pass?