One of greatest Persian writers of both classical prose and poetry, Sa'di was revered in his time as a man of great wisdom and passion. Sometimes said to have lived over one hundred years, the body of his work was written in the thirteenth century. Filled with extracts of the poet's melodious and insightful writing, and critical analysis thereof, this revealing biography examines why he was so idolised until the 1950s, and why since then he has fallen into relative obscurity. Focussing on the themes of both physical and spiritual love stitched through Sa'di's writing, as well as the impact of his many years travelling, Katouzian sheds a unique insight on who he calls 'the poet of life, love and compassion'.
Autorentext
Dr Homa Katouzian is the editor of Iranian Studies and Iran Heritage Foundation Research Fellow of St Antony's College, Oxford University. He is author of numerous books on Iranian Literature, History and Society.
Zusammenfassung
One of greatest Persian writers of both classical prose and poetry, Sa';di was revered in his time as a man of great wisdom and passion. Sometimes said to have lived over one hundred years, the body of his work was written in the thirteenth century. Filled with extracts of the poet's melodious and insightful writing, and critical analysis thereof, this revealing biography examines why he was so idolised until the 1950s, and why since then he has fallen into relative obscurity. Focussing on the themes of both physical and spiritual love stitched through Sa';di's writing, as well as the impact of his many years travelling, Katouzian sheds a unique insight on who he calls 'the poet of life, love and compassion'.
Inhalt
PREFACE
1 SA'DI, THE CLASSICS AND THE MODERNS
2 LIFE AND WORKS
Birth and Death
Sa'di's Poetical Signature
Sa'di's Travels
Escape from School?
Sa'di's Debates?
Sa'di and the Courts
Works
3 SONGS OF LOVE AND ODES TO BEAUTY
The Evolution of Poetry
Sa'di, Hafiz, Rumi
Women and Youths
Ghazals on Human Love
4 REALITY AND APPEARANCE: MYSTICISM AND LOGIC
Received Opinions
Sufism in Sa'di's Time
Conclusion on Sa'di and Sufism
5 TEACHING MANNERS AND MORALS
Education and Edification
Morals
6 THE WAYS OF SHAHS AND VIZIERS
Shahs
The Transience of Power and Existence
Ideal Government
Other-worldliness
Viziers
CONCLUDING REMARKS
Endnotes
Selected Bibliography
Index