AN ANALYSIS OF DIVINE AND EARTHLY LOVE IN SELECTED OTTOMAN POEMS
Abstract
Ottoman poetry is celebrated for its deep symbolism, mystical themes, and extensive investigation of love, especially in relation to the Sufi tradition. Among the poets of the Ottoman era, Yunus Emre holds a pivotal role due to his focus on spiritual experiences, dedication to the divine, and humanistic principles conveyed through his verses. The purpose of this study is to examine both divine and earthly love in specific poems by Yunus Emre. This research utilizes a qualitative descriptive approach grounded in literary analysis. The data comprises ten carefully chosen poems by Yunus Emre, which are scrutinized through detailed reading and textual evaluation. The results indicate that divine love manifests through spiritual commitment, awareness of oneself, a yearning for communion with God, and transcendent experiences. In contrast, earthly love is depicted as human warmth, empathy, camaraderie, and societal harmony. Moreover, the research illustrates that the themes of divine and earthly love in Yunus Emre's work are intricately linked, with human affection often acting as a route to achieving divine love. Consequently, Yunus Emre's poetry embodies not only individual feelings but also profound spiritual and philosophical ideals that are anchored in the Ottoman Sufi heritage.
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