Drinking Alone in the Moonlight by Li Po
Drinking Alone in the Moonlight by Li Po
Li Po
- Li
Po (also spelled Li Bai) was a Chinese poet during the Tang Dynasty
(701-762 AD).
- Known
for his romantic and nature-inspired poetry.
- Led
a nomadic and adventurous life, often traveling throughout China.
- Regarded
as one of the greatest poets in Chinese literature.
- His
works include "Drinking Alone by Moonlight" and "Quiet
Night Thought."
- Celebrated
for his ability to capture the beauty of the natural world and express
deep emotions in his verses.
- Influential in both Chinese and global poetry.
am alone with my pot of wine
drinking by myself; then lifting
my cup I asked the moon
to drink with me, its reflection
and mine in the wine cup, just
the three of us; then I sigh
for the moon cannot drink,
and my shadow goes emptily along
with me never saying a word;
with no other friends here, I can
but use these two for company;
in the time of happiness, I
too must be happy with all
around me; I sit and sing
and it is as if the moon
accompanies me; then if I
dance, it is my shadow that
dances along with me; while
still not drunk, I am glad
to make the moon and my shadow
into friends, but then when
I have drunk too much, we
all part; yet these are
friends I can always count on
these who have no emotion
whatsoever; I hope that one day
we three will meet again,
deep in the Milky Way.
Summary
The poem opens with the poet among the
flowers, savoring a pot of wine all alone. As he raises his cup, he extends an
invitation to the moon to join him in his drinking. In this tranquil scene, the
poet, the moon's reflection in his wine cup, and the moon itself become his
companions.
However, the poet soon realizes that the
moon cannot actually drink, and his shadow, which silently follows him, cannot
engage in conversation. With no other friends present, he accepts the moon and
his shadow as his sole companions for the evening.
In moments of happiness, the poet feels
as if the moon is accompanying him. He sings and dances, and it seems as though
his shadow is dancing along with him, creating a harmonious atmosphere.
Yet, as the poet continues to drink, the
effects of the alcohol begin to take hold, and they all part ways. Despite
their lack of emotion, the moon and his shadow are reliable friends who provide
him with companionship.
The poem concludes with the poet
expressing hope that he will reunite with the moon and his shadow one day, deep
in the Milky Way, reflecting the idea that even in solitary moments, one can
find comfort and connection with the world around them, and perhaps, even with
celestial companions in the vast expanse of the universe.
1. In the poem, where is the poet when
he begins drinking alone?
A. In a tavern
B. Amongst the flowers
C. Under a bridge
D. By the seashore
Answer: B. Amongst the flowers
2. Who does the poet invite to drink
with him in the poem?
A. A group of friends
B. The moon and his shadow
C. The stars
D. The wind
Answer: B. The moon and his shadow
3. What is the poet's primary companion
during the evening in the poem?
A. A group of friends
B. The moon
C. A beloved person
D. A musical instrument
Answer: B. The moon
4. How does the poet feel when he is
happy and singing in the poem?
A. Lonely
B. Annoyed
C. Accompanied by the moon
D. Disturbed by his shadow
Answer: C. Accompanied by the moon
5. What is the poet's shadow compared to
in the poem?
A. A ghost
B. A loyal pet
C. A dancing partner
D. A silent companion
Answer: D. A silent companion
6. What happens when the poet has drunk
too much in the poem?
A. The moon and his shadow leave him
B. More friends arrive to join him
C. He becomes very talkative
D. The moon joins him in his merriment
Answer: A. The moon and his shadow leave
him
7. What does the poet hope for in the
future in the poem?
A. To find new companions
B. To stop drinking alone
C. To meet the moon and his shadow again
D. To travel to distant lands
Answer: C. To meet the moon and his
shadow again
8. How does the poet feel about the moon
and his shadow in the poem?
A. He dislikes them
B. He considers them untrustworthy
C. He values them as reliable friends
D. He thinks they are uninteresting
Answer: C. He values them as reliable
friends
9. What is the poet's primary activity
when he is happy in the poem?
A. Reciting poetry
B. Singing and dancing
C. Reading a book
D. Meditating in silence
Answer: B. Singing and dancing
10. Where does the poet hope to meet the
moon and his shadow again in the future?
A. In a distant land
B. Deep in the ocean
C. In the Milky Way
D. In a hidden forest
Answer: C. In the Milky Way
Short Answer Type Questions
1. What is the significance of the
moon's presence in the poem, and why does the poet invite it to drink with him?
Answer:
The moon symbolizes a silent and distant companion in the poet's solitude. The
poet invites the moon to share his drink as an expression of companionship and
a way to mitigate his loneliness. It represents a yearning for connection and
camaraderie, even if it's with an inanimate celestial body.
2. How does the poet's shadow function
in the poem, and what emotions does it evoke in the poet?
Answer:
The poet's shadow is depicted as a silent companion that accompanies him
throughout the evening. When the poet is happy and dancing, his shadow dances
with him, creating a sense of joy and unity. However, as he becomes drunk and
his mood changes, his shadow's silence contributes to his growing sense of
solitude and despair.
3. How does the poet's attitude towards
the moon and his shadow evolve during the course of the poem, and what emotions
does he experience?
Answer:
At the beginning of the poem, the poet invites the moon and his shadow to join
him, indicating a sense of companionship. As he continues to drink and becomes
intoxicated, he realizes the moon and his shadow are incapable of providing the
emotional connection he craves. This shift in attitude from hope to despair
reflects the poet's emotional journey throughout the poem.
4. In the poem's final lines, the poet
expresses hope for the future. What does he hope for, and why is this significant?
Answer:
The poet expresses hope that he will meet the moon and his shadow again, deep
in the Milky Way. This is significant because it highlights the enduring nature
of his desire for companionship and connection. It suggests that despite the
temporary separation, he looks forward to a future reunion, underscoring the
human need for companionship and the persistence of hope in the face of
loneliness.
5. How does the poem convey the theme of
human longing for companionship and connection, even in moments of solitude and
reflection?
Answer:
The poem conveys the theme by depicting the poet's actions and emotions as he
invites the moon and his shadow to be his companions during an evening of
solitude. It portrays the human desire for connection and the tendency to seek
companionship, even if it's with inanimate or non-responsive entities. The
poet's evolving emotions throughout the poem underscore the deep longing for
companionship and the emotional impact of loneliness.
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