A Comparative Study of the Ode "Maghtale Bozorgmehr" by Khalil Mutran in the Context of Historical Truth and its Literary Function

This study aims to provide a comparative analysis of Khalil Mutran's ode, "Maghtale Bozorgmeher", by investigating its literary function in light of Persian historical and literary sources. Our approach is based on interpreting the results of this comparative study within the context of historical accuracy and the literary purpose of the poem. Although Mutran appears to follow the general historical framework, he modifies the subject and structure to serve his personal goals. Using this event as a tragic symbol for the tyranny of the Ottoman Empire, Mutran advocates for the people to rise up against their oppressors. Our comparative analysis includes examining both the similarities and differences between historical facts and the literary function, as well as identifying thematic and artistic additions made by the poet. We rely on an analytical descriptive method to investigate how Mutran recreates this historical event as an epic ode that calls for rebellion against the Ottoman government. In the poem, the people represent the Arab nations, Khosrow Anushirvan is an autocratic king, and Bozorgmehr is a national hero who sacrifices his life for the freedom of his people. Mutran also draws upon other historical sources, irrelevant to the original event, to advance his goals and give wider dimensions to the tragedy of domination. For example, he borrows the account of Mansour Hallaj's hanging to depict Bozorgmehr's daughter appearing without a veil during the execution. Additionally, the poet transforms characters and employs artistic structures to achieve his goals. He uses conversation as a tool for narrating events and draws upon rhetorical and semantic figures, such as adaptation and Islamic scholastic theology, to call for resistance and freedom. Ultimately, the additions and omissions in the theme and structure of this literary work are used to serve the poet's goals