Discourse Arguments in Hafez's Sonnets Based on Laclau and Moffe's Theory of Discourse

Controversy over Hafez's religiosity or apostasy has a long background. The problem in the present article is to identify the discourse order in Hafez's lyric poetry, and to determine which discourses are insider and highlighted in this discourse order and which discourses are outsiders. Thus, a better understanding of Hafez's approach to religion can be gained through a fundamental and objective data method. The theoretical basis of the research is Laclau and Moffe theory of discourse and the research method is based on Soltani discourse semiotics model (2014). Accordingly, it was determined that the discourse order in Diwan of Hafez includes governmental, religious and Sufism. The alignment of Hafez's wisdom discourse with his love to Qur'an shows that this discourse does not contradict real religious values. The central signifier in wisdom’s discourse is the prescriptive signifier which is opposed and hypocritical to religious discourses.