Cao zhi
Boil beans and burn beans,
The beans are crying in the kettle.
Originally born from the same root,
Why are you so eager to fire each other?
[Notes]
1. Tofu (qí): bean straw.
2. pot (f incarnation): ancient pot.
3. Fried: suffering, metaphorical persecution.
[Brief analysis]
According to Shi Shuo Xin Yu Literature, Cao Pi, Cao Zhi's older brother, became emperor. Worried that his younger brother Cao Zhi would compete with him for the throne, he ordered Cao Zhi to write a poem in just seven steps. As a result, Cao Zhi sang this seven-step poem. The poet used the metaphor of fried beans to accuse Cao Pi of cruel persecution of himself and other brothers.
The first two sentences, "Boil beans and burn beans, and beans cry in the kettle", describe the sharp contradiction between "beans" and "beans" and the cruel persecution of beans by beans. The last two sentences are "born from the same root, why speculate with each other!" Make the finishing point and prompt the theme of the poem. The word "the same root" is a pun. On the surface, it means that "glutinous rice" and "beans" grow on the same root. Actually, they were born to the same parents as xelloss, and asked xelloss why he was so anxious about his younger brother and sister.
[Appreciation]
The metaphor of this poem is very apt, simple and vivid. Although it is still difficult to determine whether this poem itself is really written by Cao Zhi, it reflects the internal contradictions of Cao Wei's ruling group with vivid images, and it is indeed a good poem.
[Introduction to the author]
Cao Zhi (192-233) Zijian. Pei Guoqiao (qiao now Bo County, Anhui Province) was born. Wei's outstanding poet in the Three Kingdoms period. The name of Cao Cao's third son is Chen Wangsi. Because of his rich talents, he was favored by Cao Cao in his early years. He once wanted to be a prince, but he fell out of favor. In the 16th year of Jian 'an (2 1 1), the plain was closed, and in the 19th year of Jian 'an (2 14), it was changed to Linzi. In the second year of Huang Chu's stay in Wei Wendi (22 1), he was renamed King Juan. After Cao Pi proclaimed himself emperor, he was suspected and persecuted by Cao Pi, and was demoted many times and changed his fief. After Xelloss's death, Cao Rui, Xelloss's son, acceded to the throne. Cao Zhi wrote several times in the hope of being appointed, but failed to do so, and finally died of depression at the age of 4 1.
Cao Zhi's life and creation are divided into two periods with Cao Pi as the boundary. A few works in the early stage show social unrest and their own ambitions, and the tone of poetry is cheerful and heroic. Such as "White Horse" and "Song Ying's". His later works reflect his depressed emotions, and some poems are mixed with strong negative thoughts. His poems make good use of metaphors, concise language and Hua Mao's words, which fully represent the achievements of Jian 'an poetry and have a great influence on the development of five-character poetry. He is also good at poetry and prose. His "Ode to the Goddess of Luo" is beautiful, full of myth and has great influence, and it is the representative work of lyric small fu in Jian 'an period. There are also famous essays, such as Asking for a Self-Test Table.