QUESTION:
A master poet of ancient China, this poet was a contemporary and friend of Li Po. Despite his privileged birth and the literary accomplishments of his forefathers, he was neither successful nor popular in his poetic and political pursuits.

He died in 770 after failing to win imperial approval with his writing and after holding only a few modest positions at court. His poetry is however widely celebrated for its wide range of subject matter and the directness with which it handles its content. It is also known for its linguistic subtleties, which - as is often lamented - do not always survive translation into the English language.

Who is this famous poet?

A. Du Fu;
B. Du Mu;
C. Li Ge;
D. Cui Hao [Ts'ui Hao].

ANSWERS:
Give yourself ten points if you said A!

The tale of great talent going unrecognized until the artist or writer has died is common both in the west and the east. Many poets throughout Chinese history have spent their lives in modest circumstances and their writing has only been appreciated long after their demise. Whether because they were ahead of their time or because of circumstance and situation, the literary world is better off for having known them.