Chapter Saltellando fra le rime. L’immaginario del grillo nella poesia di Du Fu (712-770)

Overview & Synopsis

Over two million years ago, when beings identifiable as belonging to the human species left their first traces on the planet, insects had already been present for approximately four hundred million years. Whether airborne, terrestrial, aquatic, or concealed within the earth, they have served as carriers of life, disease, suffering, death, pleasure, annoyance and fear. In every corner of the planet (and perhaps even beyond), they have invariably accompanied the existence of various creatures, including humans. Hence, it comes as no surprise that insects have been extensively depicted in various forms of human cultural expression, ranging from legends and myths to art, literature, medicine, cuisine and religious practices. Among other insects, crickets are a constant presence in Classical Chinese poetry. This study will embark on an exploration of the early stages in the development of the intricate symbolic and metaphorical system associated with crickets in poetry, drawing from the two oldest collections of Chinese poetry: the Book of Poetry and the Elegies of Chu. However, its primary focus will be directed towards the presence of crickets in the poetry of Du Fu (712-770), one of the foremost Chinese poets. Specifically, the study will delve into examining how these insects are employed, their function, context, and the imagery intertwined with them within Du Fu's poetic works.