Analysis of "赠别·其二" - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

"赠别·其二" (Zèng Bié · Qí Èr) is one of two famous farewell poems written by the Tang Dynasty poet Du Mu (杜牧, 803–852). Du Mu was a prominent figure in the late Tang period, known for his lyrical and evocative poetry that often blended melancholy with refined beauty. This particular poem is part of a pair written to bid farewell to a beloved courtesan, showcasing Du Mu's mastery of emotional depth and elegant simplicity.

The poem holds significance in Chinese literature for its delicate portrayal of parting sorrow and its subtle yet profound use of imagery. It exemplifies the classical Chinese tradition of expressing deep emotions through restrained, artistic language.

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

多情却似总无情
Duō qíng què sì zǒng wú qíng
So full of feeling, yet appearing so unfeeling

唯觉樽前笑不成
Wéi jué zūn qián xiào bù chéng
Before the wine cup, I find I cannot smile

蜡烛有心还惜别
Là zhú yǒu xīn hái xī bié
Even the candle, with a heart, grieves at parting

替人垂泪到天明
Tì rén chuí lèi dào tiān míng
Shedding tears for us until dawn

Line-by-Line Analysis

1. "多情却似总无情"
   This opening line presents a paradox: the speaker is deeply emotional ("多情") yet appears indifferent ("无情"). This captures the complex inner turmoil of someone trying to mask their sadness during a farewell. The restraint reflects the Confucian ideal of emotional moderation, even in moments of deep feeling.

2. "唯觉樽前笑不成"
   The wine cup (樽) was a traditional symbol of farewell gatherings in Chinese culture. The inability to smile despite drinking highlights the depth of sorrow - even the customary act of sharing wine cannot lift the melancholy mood.

3. "蜡烛有心还惜别"
   Here Du Mu employs personification, giving the candle a "heart" (心) and the capacity to feel. In Chinese, the candle's wick is literally called its "heart" (芯, homophone for 心), creating a clever double meaning. The candle becomes a sympathetic witness to human sorrow.

4. "替人垂泪到天明"
   The dripping candle wax is imagined as tears shed on behalf of the lovers. The image of weeping until dawn suggests both the length of their farewell and the candle's role as a silent companion in their vigil. The dawn's arrival marks the inevitable separation.

Themes and Symbolism

The Pain of Parting: The central theme is the bittersweet sorrow of separation (惜别), a common motif in Tang poetry. Du Mu elevates this universal experience through exquisite imagery.

Nature's Sympathy: The anthropomorphized candle reflects the Chinese philosophical concept of 天人感应 (tiān rén gǎn yìng) - the harmony and responsiveness between humans and nature. Even inanimate objects share human emotions.

Restrained Emotion: The poem demonstrates the Chinese aesthetic of 含蓄 (hán xù) - expressing deep feelings through subtle, indirect means rather than overt displays.

Cultural Context

Written during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), China's golden age of poetry, this work reflects several cultural aspects:

1. Farewell Rituals: Parting poems were an established literary tradition, often exchanged between friends or lovers. The wine-drinking ceremony was a standard farewell practice.

2. Courtesan Culture: As the poem was written for a courtesan, it illustrates the complex relationships between scholars and entertainers in Tang society, where such bonds often inspired great poetry.

3. Daoist Influence: The candle's personification shows Daoist tendencies to see consciousness in all things, blurring boundaries between humans and nature.

Conclusion

Du Mu's "赠别·其二" captures a timeless human experience - the ache of separation - with remarkable economy and beauty. Through the silent eloquence of a weeping candle, the poet conveys depths of emotion that words alone cannot express.

The poem remains relevant today as it speaks to anyone who has struggled to say goodbye, reminding us that even in our most personal sorrows, the world around us bears witness. Its enduring appeal lies in this perfect marriage of intimate feeling and universal truth, achieved through the alchemy of classical Chinese poetry's concise yet infinitely suggestive language.