Background of Du Fu's era:
Du Fu lived during the historical period when the Tang Dynasty turned from prosperity to decline. Du Fu was born in a family that had been "confucian and official" for generations, and his family was profoundly educated. Early works mainly expressed ideals, ambitions and expected life paths.
On the other hand, it expresses his political ideal of "serving the emperors Yao and Shun, and then making customs pure". During this period, many works reflected the suffering of the people and political turmoil at that time, and exposed the ugly behavior of the rulers. From then on, he embarked on the journey of It describes the life and creative path of caring about the country and the people.
As Tang Xuanzong's politics became increasingly corrupt in his later years, his life fell into poverty and despair day by day. In a life of ups and downs.
Extended information:
Du Fu (712 AD - 770 AD), named Zimei, also known as Shaoling Ye Lao. Han nationality, whose ancestral home is Xiangyang, a native of Gong County, Henan Province (now Gongyi, Henan Province). A great realist poet in the Tang Dynasty, he and Li Bai were collectively known as "Li Du". In order to distinguish them from the other two poets Li Shangyin and Du Mu, known as "Little Li Du", Du Fu and Li Bai are also collectively known as "Big Li Du", and Du Fu is often called "Old Du".
Du Fu had a profound influence on Chinese classical poetry. He was called the "Sage of Poetry" by later generations, and his poems were called the "History of Poetry". Later generations called him Du Shiyi and Du Gongbu, and also called him Du Shaoling and Du Thatched Cottage. Du Fu created such masterpieces as "Spring Look", "Northern Expedition", "Three Officials" and "Three Farewells".
In 759, Du Fu abandoned his official position and went to Sichuan. Although he escaped the war and lived a relatively stable life, he still cared about the common people and national affairs. Although Du Fu is a realist poet, he also has a wild and uninhibited side. It is not difficult to see Du Fu's heroic spirit from his famous work "Song of the Eight Immortals in Drinking". The core of Du Fu's thoughts is the Confucian thought of benevolent government. He has the grand ambition of "bringing the emperors Yao and Shun to the throne, and then making the customs pure."
Although Du Fu was not well-known during his lifetime, he later became famous and had a profound impact on both Chinese literature and Japanese literature. About 1,500 poems by Du Fu have been preserved, most of which are collected in "Du Gongbu Collection".
Baidu Encyclopedia-Du Fu