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Fatalism and Intercession: Evolution of Gender and Love in the poem of Varqa and Golshah by Ayyuqi
Abstract
Discourses on fatalism and intercession (shafa’ah), in Islamic terminology, are two of the most-discussed themes that Kalam scholars, philosophers, mystics, poets, and others have tried to scrutinize. This paper will consider the evolution of gender and love from the perspective of fatalism and intercession in a Persian love poem, “Varqa and Golshah” by Ayyuqi (10-11th centuries), a verse adaptation of the Udhri-style adventure of the Arab poet Urwah bin Hizam and his beloved Afra bint Iqal. The importance of Ayyuqi’s work lies in the series of changes made by him on the elements of the story of Urwah and Afra to create a more suitable narration of the lovers’ tale in accordance with the culture as well as the discursive trends of the 10-11th centuries Persia. Compared to Afra, the character of Golshah, as the female protagonist of the story, is much more active and involved in the plot progression; she is a free, literate, and wise warrior woman who plays a significant role in the epic events that were added to the original story by the poet, however, her retrogression to the traditional passive status of Afra in the middle of the story represents a contrast with her former role. The goal of this paper is to elucidate the reason for this reversion. It seems the evolution of the character of Golshah, is to assist Ayyuqi in getting his point across. She solves problems, and her wisdom carries Varqa to the last part of the story: the climax, fatalism, and death of the lover for the sake of love, and ultimately the intercession for the lovers' resurrection, as the poet wants for himself in the opening part of the book.
Discipline
Literature
Geographic Area
Iran
Sub Area
7th-13th Centuries