The Quatrain of Seven Steps
Encyclopedia
The Seven Steps Verse, also known as the Quatrain of Seven Steps , is a highly allegorical
poem of Classical Chinese
literature that is usually attributed to the dynastical work Romance of the Three Kingdoms
. The famed scene (79th hui) describes Cao Pi
's suspicions of his brother Cao Zhi
trying to usurp his rule (Cao Pi was also jealous of his brother's talents, particularly his masterful command of imagery). Consequently, Cao Zhi is summoned to the court and is issued an ultimatum
in which he must produce a poem within seven strides such that Cao Pi is convinced of his innocence. Cao Zhi does so, and Cao Pi becomes so flustered with emotion that he spares his brother, although he later exacts punishment upon Cao Zhi in the form of demotion. The poem itself is written in the traditional five-character quatrain style and is an extended metaphor
that describes the relationship of two brothers and the ill-conceived notion of one harming the other over petty squabbling.
There exists two versions of the poem, one being six lines in length and the other four. The former is generally thought to be original; however, the "燃" character that is (often) used in the former generates confusion over its authenticity. Additionally, the purported original verse includes two extra (redundant or otherwise superfluous) lines, which serves the purpose of parallelism
but does not add any additional meaning already conveyed (within the scope of its original use).
Boiling the beans to make the soup,
filtering them to extract the juice.
The beanstalks were charred amidst the flames,
and of this the beans thus wailed:
"Borne are we of the same root;
should you now burn me with such disregard?"
The translation for this version is more or less the same, with the notable exception of the condensing of the first three lines into one: Boiling the beans while charring the stalks...
Note: Cao Zhi uses several characters to describe the various processes of cooking and refining beans. Among those mentioned are: 煮 (boil), 漉 (filter), 燃 (skewer or char), 泣 (a pun on 蒸汽 "steam", the qi4 here actually means "to cry"), and 煎 (to pan-fry using oil).
Allegory
Allegory is a demonstrative form of representation explaining meaning other than the words that are spoken. Allegory communicates its message by means of symbolic figures, actions or symbolic representation...
poem of Classical Chinese
Classical Chinese
Classical Chinese or Literary Chinese is a traditional style of written Chinese based on the grammar and vocabulary of ancient Chinese, making it different from any modern spoken form of Chinese...
literature that is usually attributed to the dynastical work Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Romance of the Three Kingdoms, written by Luo Guanzhong in the 14th century, is a Chinese historical novel based on the events in the turbulent years near the end of the Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history, starting in 169 and ending with the reunification of the land in...
. The famed scene (79th hui) describes Cao Pi
Cao Pi
Cao Pi , formally known as Emperor Wen of Wei, was the first emperor of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. Born in Qiao County, Pei Commandery , he was the second son of the late Han Dynasty warlord Cao Cao.Cao Pi, like his father, was a poet...
's suspicions of his brother Cao Zhi
Cao Zhi
Cao Zhi was a poet who lived during the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. His poetry style, greatly revered during the Jin Dynasty and Southern and Northern Dynasties, came to be known as the Jian'an style....
trying to usurp his rule (Cao Pi was also jealous of his brother's talents, particularly his masterful command of imagery). Consequently, Cao Zhi is summoned to the court and is issued an ultimatum
Ultimatum
An ultimatum is a demand whose fulfillment is requested in a specified period of time and which is backed up by a threat to be followed through in case of noncompliance. An ultimatum is generally the final demand in a series of requests...
in which he must produce a poem within seven strides such that Cao Pi is convinced of his innocence. Cao Zhi does so, and Cao Pi becomes so flustered with emotion that he spares his brother, although he later exacts punishment upon Cao Zhi in the form of demotion. The poem itself is written in the traditional five-character quatrain style and is an extended metaphor
Extended metaphor
An extended metaphor, also called a conceit, is a metaphor that continues into the sentences that follow. It is often developed at great length, occurring frequently in schools coursework or throughout a work, and are especially effective in poems and fiction.Symbolism is often a great tool to use...
that describes the relationship of two brothers and the ill-conceived notion of one harming the other over petty squabbling.
There exists two versions of the poem, one being six lines in length and the other four. The former is generally thought to be original; however, the "燃" character that is (often) used in the former generates confusion over its authenticity. Additionally, the purported original verse includes two extra (redundant or otherwise superfluous) lines, which serves the purpose of parallelism
Parallelism
Parallelism may refer to:* Angle of parallelism, the angle at one vertex of a right hyperbolic triangle that has two hyperparallel sides* Conscious parallelism, price-fixing between competitors in an oligopoly that occurs without an actual spoken agreement between the parties* Parallel computing,...
but does not add any additional meaning already conveyed (within the scope of its original use).
Version 1
| Chinese Chinese language The Chinese language is a language or language family consisting of varieties which are mutually intelligible to varying degrees. Originally the indigenous languages spoken by the Han Chinese in China, it forms one of the branches of Sino-Tibetan family of languages... |
Pinyin Pinyin Pinyin is the official system to transcribe Chinese characters into the Roman alphabet in China, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan. It is also often used to teach Mandarin Chinese and spell Chinese names in foreign publications and used as an input method to enter Chinese characters into... |
|---|---|
| 煮豆持作羹 | zhu3 dou4 chi2 zuo4 geng1 |
| 漉鼓以為汁 | lu4 chi3 yi3 wei2 zhi4 |
| 萁在釜下燃 | qi2 zai4 fu3 xia4 ran2 |
| 豆在釜中泣 | dou4 zai4 fu3 zhong1 qi4 |
| 本是同根生 | ben3 shi4 tong2 gen1 sheng1 |
| 相煎何太急 | xiang1 jian1 he2 tai4 ji4 |
Boiling the beans to make the soup,
filtering them to extract the juice.
The beanstalks were charred amidst the flames,
and of this the beans thus wailed:
"Borne are we of the same root;
should you now burn me with such disregard?"
Version 2
| Chinese | Pinyin |
|---|---|
| 煮豆燃豆萁 | zhu3 dou4 ran2 dou4 qi2 |
| 豆在釜中泣 | dou4 zai4 fu3 zhong1 qi4 |
| 本是同根生 | ben3 shi4 tong2 gen1 sheng1 |
| 相煎何太急? | xiang1 jian1 he2 tai4 ji2 |
The translation for this version is more or less the same, with the notable exception of the condensing of the first three lines into one: Boiling the beans while charring the stalks...
Note: Cao Zhi uses several characters to describe the various processes of cooking and refining beans. Among those mentioned are: 煮 (boil), 漉 (filter), 燃 (skewer or char), 泣 (a pun on 蒸汽 "steam", the qi4 here actually means "to cry"), and 煎 (to pan-fry using oil).