What does Li Sao mean?

Wang Yi of the Eastern Han Dynasty explained in Li Sao: "Leave, don't leave; Sao, sorrow. It can also be said that it is the sadness of parting. Li Sao is the work of Qu Yuan, a poet of Chu State in the Warring States Period. Li Sao takes the conflict between ideal and reality as the main line, the contrast between flowers, birds, fish and insects and the fantasy and psychedelic "looking for women" as the symbol, and the emotional agitation and endless fantasy in autobiographical memories alternately unfold the whole poem.

The work expresses concern about the fate of Chu and people's life, "lamenting the hardships of people's life" and lamenting the power of traitors. Advocate "cultivating talents and empowering" and "following the rope without being quiet". Put forward that "God is selfless" and criticize the theory of destiny. A large number of metaphors and rich imaginations in the works show the positive romantic spirit, and create the "Sao" poetic form in China literature, which has a far-reaching impact on later generations.

Extended data:

The theme of Li Sao, that is, by describing the poet's life struggling for lofty ideals, strongly expresses his anguish and ambivalence of being murdered, shows his spirit of dedication to his country, deep patriotism and sympathy for the people, and shows the poet's indomitable struggle spirit of bravely pursuing truth and light and persisting in justice and ideals. At the same time, it also profoundly exposed the decadent and dark nature of the Chu aristocratic group headed by Chu Jun, and criticized their crimes of reversing right and wrong, running a private party, harming talents and doing evil for the country.

Baidu encyclopedia-Lisao