A Study of Theoretical Discussions on Simile in Persian Rhetorical Books, Including an Implicit Form of Simile in the Divān-e Hāfez

This article aims to explore the theoretical discussions surrounding simile in Persian rhetorical books. The study traces the evolution of the topic from the earliest available texts to contemporary rhetorical works. It examines in detail the authors’ perspectives on simile, their usage of terminology, and the aspects they may have overlooked. Many of these aspects are critically analyzed. Furthermore, a comparison is made between the terms and terminologies employed in earlier books and those found in contemporary rhetorical works, providing a basis for further and more comprehensive comparisons with reference to these texts. The final section of the article focuses on an implicit and elusive form of simile found in the Divān-e Hāfez. This particular type of simile, known as tashbih-e tabādor is intricately woven into the layers of artistry within Hāfez’s verses. Several examples of this phenomenon are presented and thoroughly analyzed.