FRIENDSHIP WITH AGEMATES AND OTHER MANDARINS IN LE QUY DON’S POEMS

Abstract

Le Quy Don had some poems about his friendship with other individuals of the same age and governmental positions. Through the literary criticism of his some typical poems and the comparison of the friendship conception in Chinese culture, the study presents the precious values of Le Quy Don's relationship with his agemates and other mandarins. They are friends who are useful to each other with the qualities of sincerity, loyalty, uprightness, trust, understanding, and profound knowledge. Their friendship is both simple and thoughtful, and their principles are standard, sustainable and interesting, their friendship is also strengthened by their responsibility to the country. The settings of these poems were the farewell moments where the friends drank together or read their poems as a goodbye saying, their friendships are admirable and followable. This study can be useful in teaching and learning about Le Quy Don’s poems as well as has contribution to studies of ancient people’s friendship in the government.