An Approach to the Techniques of Allegory and Allegorical Similes in Iraqi's Divan

One of the evaluation criteria of the poet's proficiency in eloquence is the use of rhetorical figures. The emphasis on a specific type of rhetoric may distinguish a poet's style from others, but it cannot be the only stylistic feature of a specific literary period. For example, allegory almost has been used during all times of Persian literature, but because of its high frequency during Safavids (Isfahani/ Hindi style) it has become a prominent style of then. Since allegory has things in common with the allegorical simile and so on, sometimes they are ignored and supposed one category, though this article intends to give some evidences of different types of the mentioned techniques in Fakhr-e Iraqi's divan. The results show that Iraqi, fallowing the literary style of his period, has applied many common literary figures sufficiently in his poems, amongst them allegory and allegorical similes with a high frequency and diversity of themes and structure are mostly shown off. This proves that he could exceed the limits of rhetorical principles without ignoring them and extract his methods from those limitations by innovation, invention and creativity to adorn his poems by a dignified style.