Juyi Bai

長恨歌

"長恨歌" by Juyi Bai is a narrative poem written in 809 during the Tang dynasty. This literary masterpiece retells the love story between Emperor Xuanzong and his beloved concubine Yang Guifei. Yet beneath its romantic surface lies a deeper critique of imperial excess and political negligence. The poem explores how passion and duty collide, suggesting that Yang Guifei's allure contributed to the dynasty's decline. Its enduring influence has inspired countless adaptations across literature, theater, visual arts, and film for over a millennium.