Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Instructor and Faculty Member, Department of Persian Literature and Language, Shahid Modares Campus, Farhangian University, Sanandaj, Iran
2
Ph.D. in Urbanism & Researcher at DAStU, Polytechnic University of Milan, Italy
Abstract
This research aims to achieve two general objectives by studying and examining the works of the wise poet Nizami Ganjavi: first, to find a realistic image of the physical body and urban space of that era, and second, to understand the relationships and dynamics prevailing in the society of that period. The findings in this study are based on documentary evidence, library resources, and previous research studies, and the method used is content analysis of the subject matter in the examination of the poet's works. The evidence obtained from the pentalogy stories is categorized under the following general titles: "Neglect of the city and its surrounding world", "Attachment and belonging to homeland", "Suffering and darkness of the contemporary era", "Desire for seclusion and detachment from city dwellers", "Resorting to the court to promote one's mental schema", "Shaping their own mental idea of an ideal city", "Expressing their desired city and depicting it in the story of the city of Nishapur."
This research reveals that Nizami, like other poets and writers, expresses elements and structural and urban components in his stories. However, although he excels in description and visualization, he quickly moves beyond them and avoids elaboration.
It seems that Nizami, in a long process, moves from the Kaaba of asceticism to the tavern of longing, from mystical and celestial thoughts in "Makhzan" to the poet of desire in "Khosrow and Shirin," and once again transforms into a social thinker in "Eskandarnameh," reacting and responding to the events and behaviors of his time. In the ideal city, he does not focus on physical appearance or form; instead, the content and type of behavior between the court and citizens, the interaction among citizens, social justice, welfare, and equality of rights for all members of society constitute the essence and beauty of the city. From his perspective, the role of intellectuals and powerful rulers in realizing and implementing the ideal society is highly influential and prominent. Considering the complexity of urban issues, studying literature based on the principles of urban planning with the help of experts can contribute to understanding the Shar and its comparative analogy with the present-day city.
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