my 2 cents on 夢裏不知身是客

鯊魚兄說："the poet used “guest” is totally subject to reads’ understanding and imagination."

I think just because the poet didn't use 臣虜 -- a detained guest, doesn't mean he was not. He didn't explain in details of what situation he was in, but he left readers the space to imagine and perceive on their own. At least reading the word 客， my understanding is that the poet 作這個客非易事--要在夢裏才忘記身為客這事實，可想而知醒時為客的負擔. On the other hand, I think that could be the respect and protection of his dignity as the former king of the nation made him use 客 instead of 臣虜。 So when it comes to get this line translated into English, I would use a guest instead of a detained guest.

所有跟帖： 

• 詩人自稱為“客” 他顧及他本身曾為一國之君的尊嚴 -sportwoman- ♀ (78 bytes) () 09/21/2012 postreply 07:54:36

• 也有道理。 -聚曦亭- ♀ (0 bytes) () 09/21/2012 postreply 08:00:40

• 本人看法，不一定對，僅供參考。用a detained guest, 道理有二: -聚曦亭- ♀ (1211 bytes) () 09/21/2012 postreply 08:01:17

• 再者 -聚曦亭- ♀ (369 bytes) () 09/21/2012 postreply 08:09:10

• different readers have different perceptoins -sportwoman- ♀ (717 bytes) () 09/21/2012 postreply 08:45:05