Classical Persian: Medieval Persian Court Poetry

PERSIAN 223R Subject & Catalog Number

Description

This course provides specialized training in Classical Persian for reading medieval Persian court poetry. Readings include classic texts that shaped the stylistics and attitudes found in this tradition, as well as secondary scholarship in English and Persian. This semester the course will be centered on the poetry of Sanā’ī of Ghazna, who was trained in all the major genres of medieval Persian court poetry and adapted them to specific religious and philosophical ends. In addition to studying how Sanā’ī contributed to and shaped the major genres of classical Persian poetry, we will ask: What is Sanā’ī’s vision of political authority and how is this reflected in his depictions of his patrons? In what ways is Sanā’ī’s poetry philosophical and/or mystical? And, what is Sanā’ī’s approach to ethics? Readings will be drawn from the major genres of court poetry – the panegyric and homiletic qasidehs, ghazals and masnavis.

This course is part of the 4^th year of the Persian curriculum. Advanced knowledge of classical Persian is required, equivalent to at least 3 years of Persian study including classical grammar, and instructor’s permission.

This course can be counted towards the requirements for the graduate secondary field in Medieval Studies.

Recommended Prep

Reading knowledge of classical Persian; Persian 131R or equivalent and instructor’s permission.