The Poet Li Po, A.D. 701-762

A scholarly lecture from 1918 opens this concise study, inviting listeners into the centuries‑old debate over Li Po’s place in Chinese poetry. The speaker outlines how, since the Middle Ages, Li Po has been hailed as China’s greatest poet, while his contemporary Tu Fu is often praised for moral depth. By quoting critics from the Tang, Song and later periods, the discussion reveals how each poet’s style—Li Po’s spontaneous, wine‑filled verses versus Tu Fu’s structured, reflective lines—has fueled lively literary rivalry.

The essay then turns to the practical challenges of bringing Li Po’s work to modern readers. It highlights the poet’s penchant for vivid, sometimes repetitive imagery and his narrow thematic focus on wine and women, which has both enchanted and frustrated translators. Listeners will gain a nuanced appreciation of why Li Po’s brilliance endures despite these flaws, and how his exuberant voice continues to inspire across cultures.