Yi Yin’s Dream in Verse | Generated by AI
Question: Which line from “The Hardships of the Road” (Part I) uses a historical allusion to Yi Yin to express the poet’s emotions?
Answer:
The correct answer is D: 忽复乘舟梦日边 (Suddenly dreaming of sailing past the sun).
Detailed Explanation of the Allusions
Li Bai uses two famous historical figures in these lines to express his hope for a political comeback despite his current frustrations.
- Option D (The Correct Allusion): “忽复乘舟梦日边” refers to Yi Yin (伊尹). According to legend, before Yi Yin was sought out and employed by King Tang of the Shang Dynasty, he dreamt that he was sailing a boat past the sun and the moon. This dream was seen as an omen of his future greatness and his role in advising the emperor. By using this, Li Bai expresses his own hope that, like Yi Yin, he might one day be “dreaming of the sun” (the emperor) and be called back to service.
- Option C (The Distractor): “闲来垂钓碧溪上” refers to Jiang Ziya (吕尚/姜太公). Legend says that Jiang Ziya spent his old age fishing by the Panxi River (碧溪) while waiting for a wise ruler to recognize his talent. Eventually, King Wen of Zhou found him there and made him a top advisor. While this is a historical allusion, it refers to Jiang Ziya, not Yi Yin.
Summary Table of Allusions in the Poem
| Line | Historical Figure | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 闲来垂钓碧溪上 | Jiang Ziya (吕尚) | Waiting patiently for a chance to serve the state. |
| 忽复乘舟梦日边 | Yi Yin (伊尹) | The hopeful omen of being recognized by the ruler. |
Would you like me to explain the metaphorical meaning of the “ice-blocked Yellow River” and “snow-covered Taihang Mountains” in the preceding lines?