A Study on the Characterization of Attar Neyshabouri's “Elahi Nameh” in Comparison with Illustrated Literary Manuscripts

Attar is one of the utmost theological poets of the sixth and early seventh century AH, who took use of stories and anecdotes to express his deep spiritual meanings since mankind was his distinctive addressee. “Elahi Nameh” is one of Attar's outstanding works in which the poet has succeeded in creating amiable and profound anecdotes. Given the key role that characterization plays in the creation of stories and anecdotes, the issue of characterization is raised in theological concepts and its adaptation to illustrated stories. This research has been done based on descriptive and analytical methods and relying on library data. Findings of the research indicate that the character, the element of the incident and the speed of its occurrence are central elements in the realm of story and storytelling in Attar's anecdotes. Even though the mentioned work has the aspect of asceticism and moralism, the sequence and speed of the events of the story is the motivating and is considered as the driving factor of each tale. At the end, it can be generally stated that in the anecdotes, tales and novels; one cannot move with a single outlook or it can be concluded that the elements of the story shape the main feature of the stories or anecdotes or that they add meaning and value to the features of the story. Attar's ability to accurately describe anecdotes has led to a tangible depiction of such narrations.

1. An analysis of the elements of anecdotes in Attar's theology. 2. A study of characterization in Attar's theological anecdotes.

Research questions: 

 1. What are the characteristics of anecdotes in Attar's theology? 2- What is the role of characterization in the stories of “Elahi Nameh” by Attar?