Cao Bá Quát

Cao Bá Quát (高伯适, 1809–1855) was a Vietnamese poet and revolutionary who led a peasant uprising against Emperor Tự Đức. He was either executed or killed in battle.[1] Many of his poems were destroyed, but about 1400 (most written in Han Tu) survive.[2] His poems treat Buddhism sceptically.[3]

Cao Bá Quát, a nineteenth-century literatus, was born in the year 1809 in Phu Thi Village [4] That time period belonged to the Nguyễn dynasty under the regime of King Minh Menh, Thieu Tri, and Tu Duc. At a young age, Cao Bao Quat exhibited intelligence that exceeded his age group; by the age of five, he was able to read the Tam Tu Kinh. Cao Tuu Chieu, his father, was a Confucian and teacher[5]

It had been part of his family tradition to enroll in the competition-examination to gain a position in the mandarin. In 1831, Cao Ba Quat entered the Thi Huong examinations, which was held in Hanoi. Initially he was ranked second among the prosperous candidates, but after his exam was reviewed by the Court, it was declared that he had failed due to violating examination rules.[4] There was a mandatory stylistic and parameters that were to be followed by the candidates and it has been speculated that Cao Ba Quat was unable to follow the four forms of writing known as Chan, Thao, Trien, Le.[5]

Cao Bá Quát's talent did not go unnoticed; after 10 years of consecutive failures, Cao Bá Quát was called to the capital Hue. By the recommendation of Bac Ninh Province’s governor, Cao Bao Quat was appointed as a low-rank mandarin in the Ministry of Rites and became the primary examiner in the Thua Thien Examination Compound.[4] Cao Bá Quát held that position for a short period of time; while marking exam papers that held potential, Cao Bao Quat had adjusted their content as they contained tabooed names. This information was disclosed and Cao Bao Quat lost his post and exiled to Da Nang. After his mission to Singapore led by Dao Tri Phu, Cao Bá Quát was rehabilitated and earned the position of Agency Director at the Court. In 1847, he was invited to the Academy of Hue Court.[4]

Cao Bá Quát was well known for his eccentric personality; he chose to continue to live a poor lifestyle and wore battered clothing.[5] Through his literature work, Cao Bá Quát expressed his discontent on how the dignity of humans was at loss caused by society’s desire for fame and fortune. Emperor Tự Đức was a knowledgeable literature himself and had recognized Cao Bao Quat for his expertise. Emperor Tự Đức's affliction with Cao Bá Quát was an ongoing battle; as disgraceful and arrogant Cao Bao Quat was, Emperor Tu Duc did not hide his admiration for him.

Cao Bá Quát continued his rebellion against Emperor Tự Đức and his court through his poems that was circulated amongst the weak and vulnerable. In 1855, Cao Bá Quát was mandated to combat in the Yên Sơn District.[5] The controversy of Cao Bao Quat’s death is a debate until this day. It has been noted that Cao Bá Quát died during battle, but it has been theorized his death may have been deliberated due to his defiance against the Emperor. Due to Cao Bá Quát’s failure in battle, Emperor Tự Đức ordered to execute all generations of his family. Cao Bá Quát is a revolutionist that has gained respect by many due to his indomitable attitude.[4]

References

David G. Marr Vietnamese Tradition on Trial, 1920-1945 1984 Page 291 "An excellent example of a nineteenth-century literatus who refused to accept the status quo was Cao Ba Quat (1809–54), killed attempting to mount an uprising against the Nguyen dynasty. Because he left behind such a wealth of poetry it is .."
Erica J. Peters - Appetites and Aspirations in Vietnam 2011 "The famous midcentury poet Cao Bá Quát came to a similarly morose conclusion. Depressed by the insignificance of human honors and achievements, he too saw alcohol as the cure for what ailed him: Thirty-six thousand days are quickly ..."
Tài Thư Nguyễn The History of Buddhism in Vietnam 2008 Page 240 "Unlike Nguyen Du, and even different from Nguyen Cong Tru, Cao Ba Quat viewed Buddhism with an atheistic and practical eye. He found that there were many absurdities in Buddhist rites. His poem titled “Buddha with a Broken Arm” was a ..."
Tịnh, Võ thu. "Cao Ba Quat and the Thang Vo Revolution". Retrieved April 2, 2014.
Truong, Manh Dung (March 9, 2011). "Cao Ba Quat - the "Sain" of "eccentric poems"". 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi. Retrieved April 2, 2014.

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[1] David G. Marr Vietnamese Tradition on Trial, 1920-1945 1984 Page 291 "An excellent example of a nineteenth-century literatus who refused to accept the status quo was Cao Ba Quat (1809–54), killed attempting to mount an uprising against the Nguyen dynasty. Because he left behind such a wealth of poetry it is .."

[2] Erica J. Peters - Appetites and Aspirations in Vietnam 2011 "The famous midcentury poet Cao Bá Quát came to a similarly morose conclusion. Depressed by the insignificance of human honors and achievements, he too saw alcohol as the cure for what ailed him: Thirty-six thousand days are quickly ..."

[3] Tài Thư Nguyễn The History of Buddhism in Vietnam 2008 Page 240 "Unlike Nguyen Du, and even different from Nguyen Cong Tru, Cao Ba Quat viewed Buddhism with an atheistic and practical eye. He found that there were many absurdities in Buddhist rites. His poem titled “Buddha with a Broken Arm” was a ..."

[revolution-4] Tịnh, Võ thu. "Cao Ba Quat and the Thang Vo Revolution". Retrieved April 2, 2014.

[eccentric-5] Truong, Manh Dung (March 9, 2011). "Cao Ba Quat - the "Sain" of "eccentric poems"". 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi. Retrieved April 2, 2014.