The thematic categorization of Persian poetry and the examination of the frequency of topics used by each poet not only aid in understanding the worldviews of the poets but also contribute to the correction and appreciation of the linguistic nuances of Persian poetry. One of the significant and ancient themes In Persian poetry is "pain of awareness" which is prominently reflected in the poetry of the early poets and in the Shahnameh of Ferdowsi. Awareness has long been regarded as a source of suffering, and this theme and its branches have important representatives in the history of Persian poetry after Ferdowsi, such as Khayyam and Hafez. Thus, these two poets can be considered heirs to Ferdowsi's thought, sharing similar worldviews. In contrast to these three, Saadi is a poet whose works are devoid of this theme, yet he is not unaware of it. He presents this theme in his worldview and perspective in a novel manner. Neglecting this issue has resulted in a line from Saadi's ghazals being misprinted in major editions of his work. This article aims to first discuss the pain of awareness and its reflection in the Shahnameh. Then, it traces the varieties and continuation of this theme in the history of Persian literature as represented by Khayyam and Hafez. Finally, after discussing the differences between Saadi's worldview and those of the three preceding poets, it addresses the correct form and meaning of a line from the book Badaye' that reflects the theme in the phrase "آفتِ بشناختن" within a romantic context.
عوفی، محمّد بن محمّد (1389). لباب الالباب، به تصحیح ادوارد جی. براون، با مقدمۀ محمّد قزوینی و تصحیحات جدید و حواشی وتعلیقات سعید نفیسی، چاپ اوّل، تهران: هرمس.
ماسه، هانری (1369). تحقیق دربارۀ سعدی، ترجمۀ غلامحسین یوسفی و محمدحسن مهدوی اردبیلی، چاپ دوم، تهران: توس.
مدبری، محمود (1370). شرح احوال و اشعار شاعران بیدیوان، چاپ اوّل، تهران: پانوس.
نیازکار، فرح (1390). شرح غزلیات سعدی، چاپ اوّل، تهران: هرمس.
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Kahrizi, K. (2026). āfat-e Bešnāxtan
an Old Topic in the Shahnameh and Saadi's Special Interpretation of It. Modern research of Iranology, 1(2), 1-14. doi: 10.22084/mris.2025.31269.1005
MLA
Kahrizi, K. . "āfat-e Bešnāxtan
an Old Topic in the Shahnameh and Saadi's Special Interpretation of It", Modern research of Iranology, 1, 2, 2026, 1-14. doi: 10.22084/mris.2025.31269.1005
HARVARD
Kahrizi, K. (2026). 'āfat-e Bešnāxtan
an Old Topic in the Shahnameh and Saadi's Special Interpretation of It', Modern research of Iranology, 1(2), pp. 1-14. doi: 10.22084/mris.2025.31269.1005
CHICAGO
K. Kahrizi, "āfat-e Bešnāxtan
an Old Topic in the Shahnameh and Saadi's Special Interpretation of It," Modern research of Iranology, 1 2 (2026): 1-14, doi: 10.22084/mris.2025.31269.1005
VANCOUVER
Kahrizi, K. āfat-e Bešnāxtan
an Old Topic in the Shahnameh and Saadi's Special Interpretation of It. Modern research of Iranology, 2026; 1(2): 1-14. doi: 10.22084/mris.2025.31269.1005
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