Tang Era Poetry

In this episode of "In Our Time," Melvyn Bragg leads a discussion with Tim Barrett, Tian Yuan Tan, and Frances Wood about the poetry of Li Bai and Du Fu, two of China's greatest poets from the Tang Era. The conversation explores the historical context of the Tang Dynasty, the poets' lives and styles, the influence of Daoism, and the social commentary found in their works. The panel discusses the enduring appeal of Li Bai and Du Fu, their impact on Chinese culture, and the challenges of translating their poetry, highlighting specific poems and their resonance in both historical and contemporary contexts.