Philosophical Oppositions in Sana'i Ghaznavi’s Poetry

Binary opposition is a key element in structuralism. Structuralists view human thinking as formed on the basis of binary oppositions. Binary opposition is the most significant component to consider in the analysis and investigation of various phenomena. One of the prominent features of binary opposition is that, despite appearing contrary to habit and reason, it provides the audience with a familiar taste and brings enormous enjoyment. This theoretical research has been conducted using the descriptive-analytical method and utilizing library resources. It focuses on Diwan Sana'i (Sana'i’s poems) published by Negah Publishing Co., 1941, and Hadiqat Al Haqiqa (The Walled Garden of Truth) published by the University of Tehran Press, 2007.

A particularity of philosophical confrontations in Sana'i's poetry is the transcendence of the earthly material world and the confrontation with superior truths. Sana'i has defined many of these philosophical themes, which may seem contrasting, as coexisting. From this perspective, his poetry contains numerous linguistic and philosophical oppositions and contradictions. Among these themes, "Lāhut" (divinity or heavenly world) and "Nāsut" (the earthly world) have the highest frequency, while "Doon" (Low) and "Bālā" (High) have the lowest frequency.