Romantic Motifs in the Works of Nizami Ganjavi

Abstract

This study explores the philosophical and poetic dimensions of romantic motifs in the works of Nizami Ganjavi, emphasizing their central role in shaping the aesthetic and intellectual framework of his poetry. Nizami’s romantic vision transcends conventional depictions of love, presenting it instead as a metaphysical force that leads the human soul toward self-knowledge, spiritual elevation, and moral refinement. His masterpieces—Layli and Majnun, Khosrow and Shirin, and Iskandarnamah—demonstrate how romantic motifs operate not merely as emotional expressions but as complex symbolic structures that integrate psychology, ethics, and cosmological thought.

In Layli and Majnun, love appears as an inner journey toward divine truth; Majnun’s withdrawal into the desert reflects a process of spiritual purification in which love becomes a transformative, existential experience. Khosrow and Shirin situates romantic passion within a moral landscape, portraying love as a test of character, responsibility, and ethical choice. Shirin represents idealized virtue and fidelity, while Khosrow’s struggles illustrate the tension between desire, power, and conscience. In Iskandarnamah, romantic motifs gain a philosophical dimension, intersecting with themes of wisdom, justice, and the pursuit of truth. Alexander’s physical journeys mirror his inner intellectual and spiritual ascent, and nature becomes a symbolic space for enlightenment.

The study highlights Nizami’s masterful use of symbols—rose, moon, water, mountains, deserts—and his rich metaphorical language, which together construct an emotional and intellectual atmosphere characteristic of classical Eastern romanticism. Drawing on the analyses of Lewis (2016), Meisami (1998), Davis (2005), De Bruijn (2004), Məmmədova (2017), and others, the research concludes that Nizami introduced significant innovations to the romantic tradition by redefining love as a universal, transformative, and humanistic principle. His romantic aesthetics profoundly influenced Persian, Turkic, and wider Islamic literary cultures, establishing a lasting model of poetic and philosophical romanticism.