my 2 cents on 梦里不知身是客

鲨鱼兄说："the poet used “guest” is totally subject to reads’ understanding and imagination."

I think just because the poet didn't use 臣虏 -- 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 作这个客非易事--要在梦里才忘记身为客这事实，可想而知醒时为客的负担. 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 臣虏。 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： 

• 诗人自称为“客” 他顾及他本身曾为一国之君的尊严 -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，不一定对，仅供参考。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