Comparison of the aesthetic function of myth in Sana'i and Anvari's odes

Myths, narratives, believes and worldviews are integral parts of human beings and have manifested themselves under various forms through civilization. Poetry is considered a cultural manifestation sharing a close relationship with myths. Through ages, Iranians poets have used myths in their poetry. Various reasons motivated these poets to use the literary richness of myths in their poetry; for example, it was sometimes to deepen the meaning of their poetry, to keep old myths alive or fuel their nationalistic feelings. Sana’i and Anwari are among the greatest Poet of the 4 to 6 Islamic centuries. Each one of these poets had a unique style and has influenced Persian poetry in its own distinct way. Sana’i understands the universal value of myth and their potential power to be transcended into symbols which can be used as carrier of sacred ideas, something that can’t be achieved through the use of popular language. Sana’i uses myth in order to deepen the meaning of his odes; at the same time he succeeds in creating a mythical space and appears to recreate myths. Hence, he can be considered a pioneer in how myths are used in Persian poetry. Anwari, contrary to Sana’i, makes popular references to myths, often denigrating them in various ways. Because of the inappropriateness of the meaning of his poetry and the Mythical Literariness the presence of myths in his odes has a less aesthetic literary value.