The Prime Minister of Shu - Du Fu
/蜀相 - 杜甫/
Remembering a Devoted Strategist and the Sorrow of Unfulfilled Dreams
丞相祠堂何处寻？
Where can the Chancellor’s shrine be found?
锦官城外柏森森。
Outside the brocade city, cypress trees stand tall and solemn.
映阶碧草自春色，
Spring’s green grass brightens the steps on its own accord,
隔叶黄鹂空好音。
An oriole, hidden among leaves, sings in vain.
三顾频烦天下计，
Thrice invited to plot the empire’s grand design,
两朝开济老臣心。
He served two sovereigns with a faithful minister’s heart.
出师未捷身先死，
He perished before his mission could prevail,
长使英雄泪满襟。
Leaving heroes forever in tears.
In “The Prime Minister of Shu,” Du Fu pays homage to the famed strategist Zhuge Liang, who served during the Three Kingdoms era. The poem opens by evoking the solemnity of his shrine, hidden among towering cypress trees outside what was then the city of Chengdu, also known as the “brocade city.” With vivid imagery of spring grass and an oriole’s song, Du Fu juxtaposes nature’s renewal against the poignant memory of a statesman whose brilliance was cut short. The line “Thrice invited” refers to Liu Bei’s determined efforts to recruit Zhuge Liang, underlining his importance in shaping the fate of the Shu kingdom. Dedicated to the well-being of two emperors, Zhuge Liang’s unwavering devotion stands in stark contrast to the inevitable tragedy of his early death before achieving complete victory. By ending the poem with tears shed by heroes of ages past, Du Fu highlights the enduring sorrow caused by unfulfilled aspirations and the fragility of even the noblest ambitions. The poem exemplifies how personal reverence and historical reflection seamlessly blend in Du Fu’s craft, capturing both the grandeur and the transience of human endeavors.
Key points
Through the life of Zhuge Liang, Du Fu illustrates how devotion, wisdom, and lofty aspirations can be thwarted by fate. The poem reminds us of the delicate balance between human effort and destiny, underscoring how grand visions often remain incomplete yet still inspire generations with their memory.