Understanding Su Dongpo's Lyrics

This essay is a modest attempt into the realm of Su Dongpo's lyrics, focusing on those aspects that have received little attention from critics. The nostalgia complex, depicted in many of the poet's lyrics, possibly stems from an appreciation of the beautiful landscape of his birthplace, from his unfulfilled political ambitions or setbacks in his political career, and from the influence of Buddhism and Lao Zi's philosophy. His description of the affection between the husband and wife, derived from the individual's love life, sings a high praise of faithful love. In addition, his lyrics make a typical anatomy of brothel going among the then officials. To conclude, Su's lyrics, truthfully depicting the life of the men of letters of his time, are of great cultural significance and cognitive values.