Đặng Trần Côn

Đặng Trần Côn

Đặng Trần Côn đào hầm dưới đất để thắp đèn học bài.

Definition
  1. Proper Noun:
    • Đặng Trần Côn: An 18th-century Vietnamese scholar and poet of the Later Lê dynasty, renowned as the author of the classical masterpiece "Chinh Phụ Ngâm" (Lament of a Soldier's Wife). He is a significant figure in Vietnamese literary history.
Detailed Background
  • Historical Context: He lived during the reign of Lord Trịnh Giang, a period of strict rules, such as a ban on lighting lamps at night in Thăng Long (Hanoi). He was known for his dedication to studying by lamplight in an underground cellar.
  • Career: He passed the provincial examination (), held positions such as District Teacher () and Chief of Thanh Oai District (), and later served as a Censor (). He died young, reportedly before the age of 40.
  • Literary Achievement: His most famous work, "Chinh Phụ Ngâm," written in Classical Chinese (), is a long narrative poem expressing the sorrow and longing of a wife whose husband is away at war. Its depth and artistry earned high praise from contemporaries, including the poetess Đoàn Thị Điểm, who later translated it into the Vietnamese vernacular ().
Literary Works
  • Major Work: "Chinh Phụ Ngâm" (Lament of a Soldier's Wife).
  • Other Works: Includes "Tiêu Tương Bát Cảnh" (poetry), "Bích Câu Kỳ Ngộ" (a verse tale), and several (rhymed prose) pieces like "Trương Hàng Tư Thuần Lô" and "Khấu Môn Thanh."
Character and Legacy
  • Personality: Historical records describe him as intelligent, studious, fond of wine, and possessing a free-spirited, unconstrained character not bound by conventional norms.
  • Legacy: His work, particularly "Chinh Phụ Ngâm," transcended borders and was reportedly circulated in Guangdong and Guangxi provinces of China. He is celebrated for elevating the (lamentation) genre in Vietnamese literature.
Related Information
  • Associated Figure: The poetess Đoàn Thị Điểm is famously linked to him for her revered Nôm translation of "Chinh Phụ Ngâm," which popularized the work.
  • Historical Record: His life and work are documented in classical texts such as "Tang Thương Ngẫu Lục."