Courtly Riddles: Enigmatic Embellishments in Early Persian Poetry (Iranian Studies Series) - Softcover

Seyed-Gohrab, A. A.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 9087280874 ISBN 13: 9789087280871

Publisher: Leiden University Press, 2010

Synopsis

This book is the first study of Persian literary riddles to appear in English, analysing a wide range of complex riddling poems systematically from the tenth to the twelfth century. In addition to the genre of riddles, the book examines the relationship between metaphors and riddles and the genre of literary description. Riddles belong to the oldest genre in many literary traditions. O amber-bodied idol, precious ruby! You are fire with ambergris smoke, amber with fiery smoke; You have silver in your heart, red sulfur in your mouth; You have a snake in your throat, its teeth are on your tongue. You are the sun, burning the heaven, a meteor whose throne is the moon, fenugreek bearing flowers, a reed bearing tulips. A silver chain is wrapped around your golden feet, on your head is a sun composed of a single brilliant ruby. Riddles were composed at courts in the Iranian world for various purposes, such as highlighting the courtly insignia that refer to the ruler's administrative and military power. The aesthetic of puzzlement was much appreciated at courts. Through a riddle, the poet aims to demonstrate his artistic accomplishment in a short space; and at the same time he secures his social, professional and personal position at the court and in cultured circles. Literary riddles occur in the early specimens of Persian literature from the tenth century and they continue to be used in modern Iranian society.

About this title

About the Author

Asghar Seyed-Gohrab is Professor of Iranian and Persian Studies at Utrecht University in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, and member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW). He has published extensively on Persian literature, mysticism and religion. His publications range from Persian poetry to Sufism and the role of religious and mystical motifs and metaphors in Iran-Iraq war (1980-1988) and how peaceful religious injunctions are used to justify violence. Currently, he is the Principal Investigator (PI) of an ERC-Advanced Grant entitled Beyond Sharia: The Role of Sufism in Shaping Islam (www.beyondsharia.nl), examining Islamic non-conformist movements.

From the Back Cover

This is the first study of Persian literary riddles to appear in English, analyzing a wide range of complex riddling poems systematically from the tenth to the twelfth century. In addition to the genre of riddles, the book examines the relationship between metaphors and riddles and the genre of literary description.
Literary riddles occur in the early specimens of Persian literature from the tenth century and they continue to be used in modern Iranian society.

What is it that it has neither trousers nor shirt?
[Yet] you can place on her lap whatever you wish
Although she has no tongue, she speaks the truth,
With a dragon, a scorpion upon her neck.
a scale (quppân)

A.A. Seyed-Gohrab is track-leader of the Persian Studies Programme Leiden University and elected member of the Young Academy of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW).

Courtly Riddles demonstrates how the taste for riddles lies at the core of the development of Persian poetry. It proposes a careful, learned and systematic analysis of this hitherto little-studied and puzzling poetical game.
Christine van Ruymbeke, University of Cambridge

Edition details

• Publisher: Leiden University Press
• Publication date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 9087280874
• ISBN 13: 9789087280871
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 228