A Comparative Study of «Sword and Pen» Debate in Persian and Arabic

“Sword and Pen” is among the fanciful debates that have attracted critics’ attentions. Sword and pen are considered as important symbols in the formation of all governments. ‘Sword’ symbolizes warriors and the military, while ‘pen’ symbolizes intellectuals and the elite. This study deals with a structural and content analysis of the debates between the sword and the pen, in Persian and Arabic, how writers join and leave the debates, the elements used in such debates, and their similarities and differences. In addition to exaltation and showing their authorial skills, writers of such debates intended to teach religious, moral, historical, and scientific lessons. The pen usually triggers the debate in Persian, whereas in Arabic, it is the sword that often starts a debate and this feature has a historical reason. Debates resolve peacefully, and due to the influence of Islam both on Persian and Arabic writers, verses from Qur’an are frequently cited.