Rhetorical Techniques of  Zeidari Nasavi in Crafting the Motif of Death

Moradkhani, Safiyeh; Bouezar, Saleh; Yaghoubi, Amin

doi:10.22091/jls.2024.10914.1610

Rhetorical Techniques of Zeidari Nasavi in Crafting the Motif of Death

Document Type : Rhetoric

Authors

¹ Persian language and literature, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran.

² Persian Language and Literature, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran.

10.22091/jls.2024.10914.1610

Abstract

In the annals of 7th century Hijri literature, Nafsat al-Masdur stands as a testament to artistic prowess, where the author's masterful command of language vividly mirrors the tribulations of his time. This literary gem, while adorned with exquisite linguistic ornaments, rhetorical finesse, and historical insights, is fundamentally overshadowed by the pervasive theme of death and decay. This motif casts a somber pall over the entire work, infusing it with a tone of profound melancholy and anguish. Our scholarly pursuit employs a descriptive-analytical approach to elucidate the death motif, a grim offspring of war's inexorable march and the specter of carnage and plunder. We aim to demonstrate that the contemplation of mortality in Nafsat al-Masdur is not a product of the author's philosophical worldview or existential awareness, but rather a passive reflection of his tumultuous reality. Furthermore, we endeavor to unveil all manifestations of this death leitmotif, a literary device skillfully wielded by Mohammad Zeidari to elevate his prose to the realm of high art. Our analysis reveals that the author of Nafsat al-Masdur employs a rich tapestry of rhetorical devices - from various forms of metaphor and simile to diverse allusions, Quranic verses, and Arabic poetry - all in service of crafting his somber theme.

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