The Process of the Transformation of the Historical Genre into Religious Epic Case Study: Mokhtarnameh

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD Candidate in Persian Language and Literature, Ferdowsi University of Mashad

2 Professor of Persian Language and Literature, Ferdowsi University of Mashad

Abstract

The religious epic is the outcome of the combination of the epic genre with historical and religious genres. This study explores Mokhtarnameh, one of the most famous religious epics, that has been variously composed by a number of poets in different historical periods. Assuming that this genre is derived from other genres, we aim to show how this process of transformation and metamorphosis has taken place. In other words, under what conditions has a religious narrative become a religious epic? This study, which has been conducted using documents, and by analyzing the contents of these documents, shows how in their lifetime, genres are transformed into each other or how one genre, evolving from another one, has become an independent genre. For instance, from the time it entered the religious epic category, the story of Mokhtar has changed and evolved, and its introduction into the cinematic genre shows that this evolution still continues. The story of Mokhtar is one of the good examples for the creation and evolution of these genres.
 
Extended Abstract
 
1. Introduction
Genres develop by drawing on the other already existing genres. Religious epic is the outcome of the collective need of Iranian Shia Muslims and it can provide the setting for the realization of this collective wish. Mokhtarnameh is a collection of important religious epics about the life of its main hero, Mokhtar Thaqafi, written by numerous writers and poets in different eras. In the present article, while focusing on Mokhtarnameh, attempt is made to discuss how different genres are combined and how a religious epic is formed.
 
2. Theoretical Framework  
In the present paper religious and historical epics are the main focus of attention. Historical epics are the ones that depict the life of the heroes and the way they relate to people, and religious epics are the ones whose heroes are important religious figures. This paper also analyzes the term “discourse” and external and internal influences on it from a linguistic point of view.
 
3. Methodology
The present paper adopts a descriptive-analytical approach. Data has been collected using library research method and library documents and manuscripts have been studied for this purpose.
 
4. Findings
Mokhtar’s historical personality has been a mixed one, made up of legends and fiction. It has developed great ideological potentials necessary for the formation of a religious myth. A religious epic has two important components of epic and religion, manifestations of which have been examined in Mokhtarnameh.
 
5. Conclusion
Genres have always been influenced by previous genres, with religious epics as an example. Mokhtarnameh was shaped through a combination of religious and historical narratives. In the historical genre, the historian’s imagination plays an important role. And when the story of Mokhtar entered literary genres, the writers’ secondary imagination influenced the shape of the narrative, resulting in a kind of metamorphosis. Thus, the story develops within the framework of a genre we refer to as religious epic.
 

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Literary Theory and Criticism
Volume 3, Issue 2 - Serial Number 6
Serial 6
June 2019
Pages 75-98

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