Reflejo del mito: un estudio comparativo de Mehdi Akhavan-Sales y Adonis
Reflection of Myth: A Comparative Study of Mehdi Akhavan-Sales and Adonis
Shirin Sadoughi
1
, Hassan Bassak
2a
Payame Noor University, Mashhad Branch, Mashhad, Iran
12
Orcid ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9072-355X
1
Orcid ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5778-1667
2
Recibido: 20 de Agosto de 2020 Aceptado: 12 de enero de 2021
Resumen
El objetivo de este artículo fue un estudio comparativo de las representaciones del mito en los
poemas de Mehdi Akhavan Sales y Adonis (poeta sirio). El método de investigación es
bibliográfico y también analítico-descriptivo. Apoyándose en las técnicas de creación de mitos y
simbolismo y su estética artística y literaria, Adonis busca incluir su personalidad en símbolos
míticos, aunque de manera breve y concisa, y convierte el mito en una especie de realidad
contemporánea o histórica. El vínculo de la poesía Akhavan con los mitos, arquetipos y símbolos
de Irán y el uso de palabras, compuestos y expresiones persas, en la mayoría de sus poemas, es
uno de sus arreglos poéticos que ha dado un estatus épico a su lenguaje poético que expresa un
Nota crítica con virtuosismo y poder de lenguaje épico. Los resultados muestran que Akhavan
emplea mitos históricos del antiguo Irán. Adonis también se aprovechó de la mitología árabe y fue
profundamente influenciado por la sociedad en la que creció, combinándola con cuestiones
nacionales y patrióticas y creando exitosos arquetipos mitológicos y épicos. Según los resultados,
Adonis se ha referido a diferentes culturas como Grecia, el antiguo Egipto, mitos bíblicos y mitos
preislámicos, mientras que Akhavan habla solo de los mitos del antiguo Irán.
Palabras clave: Mehdi Akhavan Sales, Ali Ahmad Said Esber (Adonis), literatura comparada,
poesía iraní, poetas contemporaneos iraníes, literatura persa, mitología
Abstract
The objective of this article was a comparative study of the representations of myth in the poems
of Mehdi Akhavan Sales and Adonis (Syrian poet). The research method is a bibliographic one
and also analytical-descriptive. Relying on the techniques of myth-making and symbolism and
their artistic and literary aesthetics, Adonis seeks to include his personality in mythical symbols,
albeit briefly and concisely, and turns myth into a kind of contemporary or historical reality. The
a
Corresponding Author.Email: bassak@pnu.ac.ir
ISSN 2312-4253(impresa)
ISSN 2078-4015(en línea)
321
Apuntes Universitarios
, 2021: 11(
2
), abril-junio ISSN:
2304-0335 DOI: https://doi.org/10.17162/au.v11i2.659
apuntesuniversitarios.upeu.edu.pe
bond of Akhavan poetry with the myths, archetypes and symbols of Iran and the use of Persian
words, compounds and expressions, in most of his poems, is one of his poetic arrangements which
has given an epic status to his poetic language which express a critical note with virtuosity and
power of epic language. Results show that Akhavan employs historical myths of ancient Iran.
Adonis also took advantage of Arab mythology and was deeply influenced by the society in which
he grew up, combining it with national and patriotic issues and creating successful mythological
and epic archetypes. According to results, Adonis has referred to different cultures such as Greece,
ancient Egypt, biblical myths and pre-Islamic myths, while Akhavan speaks only of the myths of
ancient Iran.
Keywords: Mehdi Akhavan Sales, Ali Ahmad Said Esber (Adonis), comparative literature, Iranian
poetry, contemporary Iranian poets, Persian literature, mythology
Introduction
Myths are one of the most important treasures of civilization that are entangled with the
identity of nations. Myths play a fundamental role in poetry and literature, and the poet and writer
recreate the culture of past through myths and mythological stories that are often transmitted orally.
Myths can be derived from historical facts or from mythical figures.
If we carefully study history, we would notice that Iranian’s identity and subjectivity are
in the form of the same myths which existed before Islam [stories from the Achaemenian,
Parthian and Sassanid periods], which serves as one of the important factors in the
preservation of the history of nation (Ahmadi, 2004, p. 165).
Mythology represents ideal characters or superior archetypes. The most prominent
mythical characters are the warrior, invulnerable or idealistic hero. The national myths of any
region can have a constructive or destructive effect on the literature of that country which depends
on correct perceptions of them otherwise affect all sections of nations. If we imagine literature as
a mirror, the myth is the image that reflects the culture, experience and historical narrative of the
people that are inherited through ages. Myths are part of the human imagination. Myths are
represented and developed differently in different nations (Javan, 1989)
Among contemporary Arab and Iranian writers, Adonis and Mehdi Akhavan Sales (1928-
1990) are the most prominent mythologists. Adonis especially in his youth, was fond of the
legendary heroes of his homeland, which clearly has reflected in his poetry. A reason for that was
the contrast between the current weakness and humiliation of the Arab nations and the strength
and greatness of their ancient civilizations, especially the inhabitants of the ancient Levant, and
our poet, who even borrowed his title (Adonis) from these myths, wants to commemorate the glory
Revista de Investigación Apuntes Universitarios
2021: 11(1),321 -337
ISSN 2312-4253(impresa)
ISSN 2078-4015(en línea)
322
of the past to liberate his soul and mind from weakness and humiliation. He seeks to change the
status quo, and his alternative vision is the mythical symbols of ancient power and glory.
Mehdi Akhavan Sales is also a poet who, by using the myths and ancient heritage of
Persian literature and understanding the necessities of today, has skillfully emerged from the
dilemma of past and present, a poet who greatly portrays the reality of our time in his poems. He
himself gave a plan of a new life and the words and interpretations of ancient Persian poetry show
his bonds with the poetry and literature of the past. Now we turn to analysis of myth in the poetry
of these great poets of Syria and Iran; Adonis and Mehdi Akhavan Sales.
Methodology
The research method is a bibliographic one and also analytical-descriptive.
In which the authors have used bibliographic sources and documents to study the sources. Myths
and legends are collective and impersonal dreams that can accept new meanings at any time
according to specific social conditions and situations (Rajaei, 2016). The symbolic and
metaphorical interpretation of myths and legends depends on the poet's imagination and
knowledge of them. Expressing the narrative of myths and legends in poetry in order to have a
greater impact on the audience and also to provide a suitable context for expressing what is not
possible and explicitly reflected by the artist due to the political and social conditions prevailing
in the society (Adonis, 2008). The poems of many committed poets are impressive.
The present study is a study in the narration of myths and legends in the narrative works of
two contemporary Iranian and Iraqi modern poets, Mehdi Akhavan Sales and Adonis, which shows
that the narrative poems of these two poets are not a reconstruction of myths and legends but The
expression of today's theme and concept is in the form of a mythical story (Akhavan, 2008).
Results: Reflection of myth in the poems of Adonis and
Akhavan Sales
Myth mythological style in Adonis’s poems
Adonis’s aim in employing mythology and mythological symbols, like phoenix which is
the leading and most frequent one in his poetry, “is expressing the concepts of devotion and self-
sacrifice for regenerating life, vitality and joy in people who have lost hope in anything, even in
life, due to difficult situations” (Qasem, 1991: 82). He refers to real heroes and characters like
prophet Noah (as), Jesus Christ (as), The story of Karbala and the martyrdom of Imam Hussein
Revista de Investigación Apuntes Universitarios
2021: 11(1),321 -337
ISSN 2312-4253(impresa)
ISSN 2078-4015(en línea)
323
(as), the story of the martyrdom of Zayd ebn Ali (AS), even the story of the hanging of Hallaj and
the killing of Bashar, etc., to instill the spirit of resistance and hope in the nation. (Arab, 2017: 92)
Basically, the symbol or symbolism, or in Arabic, “al-Ramziyah” in speech, poetry or
prose, can replace direct linguistic references in conceptualdenotation. In symbol, the meaning is
not presented directly and completely, but in fact, indirectly expressedthrough literary conceptions
(Berghl, 1996: 142) Adonis himself defines a "symbol " as the following : “symbol gives us the
opportunity to think beyond the text and learn another signification because the symbol is nothing
but a complicated signification, a kind of inspiration, in other words, it is a spark through which
your mind and heart can clearly see the infinite world in the light of its radiance Hence, the symbol
is a kind of radiation on the darkness and absorption of the essence of meaning” (Adonis, 1978:
160). Let us see to what extent Adonis has been able to use this aesthetic literary term in his poems:
The representation of myth in Adonis’s poems
The myth of Phoenix occupies a significant part of Adonis' poems. The myth of Phoenix
is the story of a bird that loves to burn; He burns and turns to ashes, and from his ashes raises a
chick which begins a life. This myth is a symbol of life after death. On the one hand, by using this
myth, the poet seeks to awaken the Arab nation from the sleep of negligence so that they do not
fall behind the caravan of human civilization. And on the other hand, he finds his liberation from
the present sufferings, pains and suppression, as in the phoenix and his ascension from the ashes
after burning (Adonis, 2002: 160).
“O Phoenix! Let my eyes look upon you; Let me see with my own eyes through your fire,
the hidden and secret world that surround our wounds; also, the accumulated mass of ashes
and sand and darkness... O Phoenix! Die and sacrifice yourself for us; O Phoenix! Burning
must begin with you, the anemone of life” (Adonis, 2002).
Adonis believes that Western civilizations are in the last stage of aging and disintegration.
He is waiting for the resurrection to take on a new life and start a new activity. Accordingly, he
finds Phoenix, who is in fact the poet himself, impatient to sacrifice himself for his nation
(Murrieye, 2003).
Revista de Investigación Apuntes Universitarios
2021: 11(1),321 -337
ISSN 2312-4253(impresa)
ISSN 2078-4015(en línea)
324
We see another image of Phoenix in part “helm” from the ode “Al-Baath wa Al-Ramad”
(Rise and Ashes); the poet finds himself in the shape of a phoenix who will burn to raises from his
ashes with the same identity or another. He considers sacrifice and burning as the only way to save
himself and the agonizing people, and in this way he employs all his strength, energy, spirit and
ideas which are full of vitality and dynamism (Qasem, 1991).
Phoenix is a symbol for someone who revives people with his death. The poet in “tatilteh
al-baath” (Resurrection Song) from the same ode, considers himself and Phoenix as one who saves
people by burning and sacrifice; He hides the fire in his heart and considers the legend of Phoenix
as a means of revealing the secret that lies deep in his heart. With this hope and desire, the poet is
waiting for the future that is built upon his desire; in himself, he discovers tomorrow and the
changes that may take place:
“My majesty! My name is Renewal; my name is tomorrow, tomorrow that is approaching
- tomorrow that is going away. A fire has been slaughtered in my heart; Phoenix is the
secret of my heart.” (Adonis, 2002).
By reviving the greatness of Phoenix, Adonis expresses his nostalgia and suffering in the
current situation, and by showing passion and enthusiasm for Carthage and Baalbek, he declares
these two cities as a sign of ancient civilization. He believes that striving to return to a greatness
of past is not impossible because man is a changeable being. In this poem, the phoenix is equal to
the poet's identity, and the fire that burns and revives the phoenix is equal to the fire of the poet's
nostalgia and sufferings, which gives him the good news of rebirth. The poet's alienation in society
is the same as the disintegration of the oppressed who feel disassociated from Arab nation. (Arafat
Al-zawawi, 2005).
“Baalbek is an altar / it is said there is bird willing to die/ In the name of fresh tomorrow/
in the name of the resurrected in his resurrection, / Burns in the fire, / and the sun and the
horizon are his achievements.” (Adonis, 2002).
Revista de Investigación Apuntes Universitarios
2021: 11(1),321 -337
ISSN 2312-4253(impresa)
ISSN 2078-4015(en línea)
325
In the third part of the ode “Al-Baath wa Al-Ramad” entitled "Ramada Aisha" (Aisha's
ash), by brutally attacking the respected symbol of the Arabs, he slanders them and their
civilization. According to Adonis, Aisha is a symbol of famine and poverty, because she believes
in darkness, futility, beauty and fate. In this way, he expresses his dissatisfaction with the current
situations of the Arab world, and considers his solution as the best one. He calls Phoenix to rise
from the ashes by destroying Aisha and liberates himself from dependence on such a disgrace.
On the other hand, Jesus Christ is representing another myth of freedom and sacrifice,
which Adonis combines with Phoenix and puts them together in a single identity framework to
speak with more authority for goal:
“O Phoenix! My death among our youth and our lives has stacks and springs. On the way
of death, neither blow the wind of unity nor heard the echoes of the graves. One died
yesterday; Died on his cross; He hid but returned glowing and shining from the ashes and
darkness. It seemed to me like a lake of cherries, a fire of light, a meeting place.” (Adonis,
2002).
The most frequent expressions in contemporary Arabic poetry which refer to the poet's
reference to Christ as symbol of liberation and sacrifice are the three phrases: “life through death”,
“Cross” and “redemption” (Zayed, 2016: 82). Adonis uses the incident of Jesus' crucifixion to
illustrate his belief. Although the story of Christ is not a myth, it is similar to the myth of Phoenix
or Temus (Adonis) in his sacrifice for apparent death; although we believe that Christ is alive and
that someone else was crucified in his place. Of course, the poet does not directly talk about Christ
at this time, but it can be easily inferred from the words and themes (Arab, 2017).
Hallaj is another symbol of death and life which Adonis uses in his poetry. According to
him, Hallaj is another phoenix who suffered for the survival of others and eventually sacrificed.
Adonis uses the symbol of death and suffering in the ode "elegy of Hallaj" by depicting the realities
of society (Arab, 2017: 41).
Time lay upon your hands, and the fire in your eyes in the attack is sweeping, reaching the
sky. O star rising from Baghdad! (Arab, 2017).
Revista de Investigación Apuntes Universitarios
2021: 11(1),321 -337
ISSN 2312-4253(impresa)
ISSN 2078-4015(en línea)
326
Another Phoenix is born, it comes alive again. Mihyar historically does not have such a
persona, but Adonis by giving him power has turned him into a myth in order to establish a
connection between himself and his symbol. This benevolent figure is a symbol of heretic rebellion
against monotheism, someone who stand against the main figures of oppression, such as Timur
Lang. Mihyar is a poet accused of Sha'ubism in the Abbasid era, whom Adonis probably
considered appropriate due to his personality and Sha'ubian tendency, in order to use his language
to critique the existing reality and establish an unprecedented revolution. The poet sees similarities
between himself and Mihyar and calls himself Mihyar of Damascus (Arafat Al-Dawawi, 2005).
Although Mihyar never revolt, but Adonis tries to attribute this feature to him; the
following poem refers to the religious political ideals of Adonis, which is depicted in the persona
of Mihyar (Arafat Al-Dawawi, 2005).
.
“Mihyar, where is your power and lordship? Where? Do not say my circuit betrayed me;
Do not say that my roads have misled me; my steps have not guided me! Where are your
songs Mahyar? Where?” (Adonis, 2002).
Adonis does not give in to the destruction and defeat that Mahyar has suffered. So he leaves
the symbol and talks about his own pain and mission. After recognizing his position and role in
bringing about a fundamental change in the political system and introducing it to everyone in the
persona of Mihyar, he declares his readiness for war and confronts the existing reality:
“Now, I declare, I choose this place, my words are axes, my voice is like the shape of two
hands, I declare I’m the woodcutter of these days” (Adonis, 2002).
In the Adonis’s collection of poetry, symbols and illusions are prevalent through which the
poet seeks to express his internal thought and feelings. He finds himself in common with Abu
Nuwas in matters such as the subjugation of domination and power, and the suffering of
maintaining and repeating past imitations. He asks Abu Nuwas to listen to the calamities that have
Revista de Investigación Apuntes Universitarios
2021: 11(1),321 -337
ISSN 2312-4253(impresa)
ISSN 2078-4015(en línea)
327
befallen him. Recounting the memories of Abu Nuwas, Adonis speaks of the sufferings and pains
he endured at this time. He suffers from the same things. He artistically uses historical allusions to
relate a multitude of artistic implications and conscious insights, past pains and present
preoccupations, so that the reader does not perceive the time interval and consider both
indistinguishable (Arab, 2017). With the mourning of Abu Nuwas, Adonis speaks of feeling of
loneliness among the evils that surrounded him and wants to create a new era with his own hands:
“You are wandering and the days of you is in era of impurities; the dust of time is visible
on your face. O Abu Nawas! Let the night wrap us in cloaks and graves.” (Adonis, 2002).
Adonis uses “Bashar”, a poet of the Abbasid era, who was flogged by the caliph on the
charge of treasonand apostasy as a symbol. Bashar was originally an Iranian poet and blind, and
in his poetry anti-Arabism and attacks on their beliefs and habits were prevalent. Bashar is a
representative and symbol of a person who does not accept the prevailing social traditions, and
Adonis sees him as the supreme model of the intellectual revolt against domination, and “gathers
political allusions and artistic points and the realities of society in this person.” (Zayed, 2016, p.
142).
“Do not weep over him and whip him, and release him for the mad caliph and call him
Satan or the plague. Because he is still here or there; singing in the silent streets; singing in
ourspeechless plains and roars like an earthquake; He is still here or there. Blind, landless,
homeless, seeking a blue pearl that his faithful poems have preserved for him for hard times
and for dry and famine years.” (Adonis, 2002).
Adonis not only seeks political change in Arab society, but also wants to bring about
cultural reformation. He rejects any imitation or traditionalism that leads individuals to intellectual
and scientific stagnation and therefore, for this aim, refers to revolutionary figures throughout
history, those who have smashed a weak foundation and rebuilt a new one.
Revista de Investigación Apuntes Universitarios
2021: 11(1),321 -337
ISSN 2312-4253(impresa)
ISSN 2078-4015(en línea)
328
Myth In Akhavan Sales’s Poems
Mehdi Akhavan Sales returns to the past in his mythology, but he wants to harmonize this
past with the today’s needs and concepts. It certainly can be said that the poetry of Akhavan is a
bridge between yesterday's traditional poetry and today's poetry. The archaic use of language as
one of the features of Akhavan's myth-making is largely influenced by his love for ancient texts,
his education and poetic talent, and the influence of ancient texts and literary associations of
Khorasan. Archeology has been defined as: “Continuation of the life of the past language through
the language of present” (Kadkani, 2015, p. 24).
And this mythological and archeological feature of his works, has led many to call his style
“New Khorasanian style”. “Even in his lyric poems, he keeps the language of the ancient poets of
Khorasanian style, so that eloquence dominates the beauty of words, and traces of interpretations
and words and songs of Farrokhi, Nasser Khosrow and Roudaki, and more than that, Ferdowsi can
be seen in the fabric of his poems.” (Dastgheib, 1994, p. 37).
Regarding his mythology, it can be said that: “Akhavan turned its back on the reality of
thepresent world and returned to the past, he loved the ideal land, the ancient utopia of his father,
the untouched utopia and the noble maiden of ancient Iran, and like a child whose everything has
taken away, he cried, mourned and cursed” (Legal, 2003, 61).
Omid is very serious about reviving ancient words and is very strict about the legacy of
Persian literature. His researches in Iranian literature and his awareness of its subtle details and the
obligation to adhere to both classical and modern poetic metric distinguished him from other
contemporary poets. Hence, he certainly can be called a new classic.
Manifestations of myth in Akhavan Sales’s poems
One of the fascinating aspects of Akhavan’s works is his return to the distant past and
ancient Iran; the return to ancient myths such as Mazdak, Zoroastrianism and other saints of
Zoroastrianism. Akhavan writes: “Thus says, the broken heart of a tired and frightened man, one
of the people of Toos Khorasan, unhappily bored of being or not being, the third of the Sushyant
brothers, Mehdi Akhavan Sales, afraid of half-despair to the famous M. Omid, singer of regret,
anger, curses and hatred, the narrator of forgotten stories and dreams gone with wind.” (Akhavan,
1990: 116). Akhavan sees the honor and dignity of Iran in the distant past and ancient myths, and
Revista de Investigación Apuntes Universitarios
2021: 11(1),321 -337
ISSN 2312-4253(impresa)
ISSN 2078-4015(en línea)
329
the present is of no value to him. That is why he has always missed the days of power and recalling
those days:
This broken unruly lyre /tame to the hands of the old ashen-faced bard, / sometimes it seems
to be dreaming./ it sees itself at the sun’s luminous court/ a wondrous sight, joyous and
witness to Zarathustra/or as a peri, striding raptly/over chaste, moonlit meadow. false
lights / caravan of dead flames in swap/ sees on the holy forehead of alter/ remembrances
of glory and chastity / singing joyfully /The sad story of homesickness (Akhavan, 2000,
79).
In a more intense and lamentable tone, he portrays the powerful past and calls himself the
conqueror of proud castles of history: “We are the conquerors of history’s proud castles/ witness
to each century’s splendid cities. We are memorial to the sad chastity of the ages/ we are the tellers
of joyful, sweet tales/ tales of clear sky/ light and water…” (Akhavan, 2000, 83). Akhavan’s
tendency towards ancient myths and culture is largely indebted to his philosophical vision.
Dissatisfied with the current situation, the solution is return to the past.
The emotional foundation of Akhavan poetry is his homesickness for this Iran. In this ideal
Iran, everything is good, pure and beautiful, but have elements of the current world, which,
have contaminated this goodness, purity and ideal beauty with vulgarity, lies and ugliness.
That is, Akhavan's worldview always has two inseparable parts. First, A praise of goodness,
truth and purity, the ideal form of which is the ancient Iran. Second, the condemnations of
ugliness, vulgarity and lies, which are mentioned in some of his poems (Kakhi, 2003, 474).
And this spirit of narration is evident in most of his poems:
I’m a teller, teller, yes / I will repeat, as I have said, Bari / The tellers of forgotten legends
/ The owl of these cursed ruins of history / The rooftop of this ruined city /the dove of lost
castles / with which magic prudence/ with which deceit and guile/ O friends, tell me the
truth / the image in the broken mirror looks unbroken?/yes, yes, I am telling the same
legend and seeks hearing from the desperate gloomy heart soaked with anger and awareness
(Akhavan, 2000, 76).
And so, this poet with his sensitive emotional conscience, fortifies himself against the
historical reality, and in the painful field of oppression with the weapon of his mythical heroes,
overcomes this destiny. However, this passage is nothing but a painful satire from the
metamorphosis of those who are not honorable (Rashidian, 1991). By reading these poems, we
observe that it is the poet’s frustration and despair which lead him to seek the antiquity, the
frustration and despair which have overwhelmed him because of the condition of the society.
Revista de Investigación Apuntes Universitarios
2021: 11(1),321 -337
ISSN 2312-4253(impresa)
ISSN 2078-4015(en línea)
330
The coup d'état of 28 August 1953 and the defeat of the national movement and the
Mossadegh, to him, people (including Akhavan) were deeply attached, left them deeply
disappointed and frustrated, akhavn was deeply affected by this event. The poem “Consolation and
hello” addressed to Pir Mohammad Ahmadabadi is one of his poems describing this despair:
Did you see my heart, the beloved did not come, and the dust came, not the rider
Candles and fuel were burned all over the place, and that gilt morning did not come/ we
decorated the house and the meal, and that famous guest did not come.
The heart and the passion and the power were grieving but that sympathetic man did not
come. Those palaces collapsed from the base and those deeds were not useful
My heart burns with the pain, oh the patient gardener, spring did not come, it blossomed,
and withered, but there was no flower
(Akhavan, 2000: 108).
The representation of this despair and defeat can be observed in most of Akhavan's poems
to the extent that some have called him a poet of defeat. The "Song of komuz" is another poem of
deep despair and is entangled with ancient myths:
This is the black-clad soul of our tribe /
with the scroll of his people's sorrow, /
hidden in instruments like secrets /
obvious in the fire of songs /
this is the injured soul of our tribe /
escape the terrible massacre of the centuries /
tired and offended /
it was not long that in this corner
of regret seeking asafe hold/
Sometimes when he sees scorching wounds
and is the paw of sympathy /
recites the mourning of his beloved
covenant and rituals /
sad and slow
(Akhavan, 2000: 58).
Failure have given a particular theme to many of Omid’s poems. A state that ranges from
a desperate rage to a bloody lament. That is the ancient tradition of this constantly failed society
which has remained in its essence, and the poet who is himself the representation of this ancient
culture, becomes a heartbroken and insane lamenter (Mokhtari, 2001).
Because I’m desperate of my apathetic heart/
tired of stranger, annoyed of myself
Revista de Investigación Apuntes Universitarios
2021: 11(1),321 -337
ISSN 2312-4253(impresa)
ISSN 2078-4015(en línea)
331
This drunken cry of mine is not without reason/
I’m the cold of my thirsty and withered grass.
Song is powerful from the joy of fresh flower /
I’m the singer of dirge for my depressed flower
They say there is hope, how despair!
Do not know/
that I am the mourner of my dead homeland
What will the poor do ifthe bitter herb
don’t talk bitterly? /
I was nourished by this garden
not myself
(Akhavan, 2000: 7).
Another important poem of Akhavan that shows the despair and suffocation of the society
that is affected by the coup d'etat of 28 August is "winter". Therefore, “Akhavan represents a
generation that in winter, see the winter of society and step into the bitter coldness of suspicion. A
troubled generation that has forgotten to answer greetings and shakes the hand of love reluctantly”
(Braheni, 2001: 655). “Winter” is one of the most symbolic poems of Mehdi Akhavan Sales. In
this poem, winter is a symbol of current oppression in society:
Thrusting their heads in their collars/
they won’t greet you back./
no head is raised to greet and meet friends./
as the road is dark and slippery,/
the eyes could hardly see./
if you stretch your hands in affection
towards someone,/
as it is freezing cold,/
he will unwillingly take out his hands
from his warm pockets
(Akhavan Sales, 2000, p. 107).
And in the rest, the poem reaches the peak of despair and the poet warns that there is no
dawn and no light and there is no hope for the dawn to come, and these are all deceptions:
Do you say it’s too late, it’s dawn, the morn is at hand? / You are deluded, this is not the
scarlet after the dawn./ My companion! This is a chill-struck ear, The memento of winter’s
cold smack./ The lantern of the sky, living or dead, is hidden/ In the labyrinthine thick
coffin of gloom, besmeared with death./My companion! Go and kindle the light of wine,
Night is indistinguishable from the day (Akhavan Sales, 2000, p. 107).
Revista de Investigación Apuntes Universitarios
2021: 11(1),321 -337
ISSN 2312-4253(impresa)
ISSN 2078-4015(en línea)
332
And so, it is the horror of the destructive cold encourages the aliens to retreat and crawl in
their lair to save themselves from destruction. Because the drums are out of date and the torch of
all the fields of honor and epic has been extinguished. They have dismantled the gallows, washed
the blood, and in Mazar-e-Abad, the city without beating, they have planted “vicious excrement”
(Rashidian, 1991, p. 110). In the poem “The Story of stone land” (Akhavan Sales, 2000). he retells
the story of the prince (shahriyar) of Sangestan, who is a symbol of a society sleeping in neglect.
In this poem, despair is at its peak and there is no hope of salvation:
The prince of stoneland spoke, his head stuck in the cave/ he spoke to the forsaken
darkness/ you imagine you are desperate magi in dead fire temple/ woes of tyranny of the
kings/ the cruelty of Turks and Arabs/ bewailing with broken arms of mithra/ lamenting
the grief of centuries/ his mournful call circled and rang in the cave. / “cave, let me tell you
my grief! / tell me, is all hope of salvation now gone?” plaintively the voice
answered”…now gone?
(Akhavan Sales, 2000, p. 27).
Another poem in which despair is evident is “Dandelion”, in which the poet sees his hopes
and aspirations gone away and does not expect any good days or news:
I don’t expect any news,
Neither from a friend, nor from a native district;
Go to such a place where ears and eyes watch you;
Go to such a place where they expect you.
Dandelion!,
Everything is blind and deaf in my heart,
(Akhavan Sales, 2000, p. 147).
He sees everything as a lie and deception and cannot trust anything or anyone and asks the
dandelion to leave him and his society, because the clouds of the universe weep day and night in
his heart:
Stop lurking here where the self is a stranger to is soul;
messengers of all bitter experiences
I tell my heart:
“You are false, o you are false,
You are a cheat, you are a cheat.
Dandelion!,
The clouds of the whole world day and night / are crying in my heart
(Akhavan Sales, 2000, p. 148).
Revista de Investigación Apuntes Universitarios
2021: 11(1),321 -337
ISSN 2312-4253(impresa)
ISSN 2078-4015(en línea)
333
Comparing the mythology of two poets
Similarities
The literary life of both poets is approximately at the same time, the middle of the twentieth
century. The political situations in both poets’ countries were similar. Socially and culturally, the
living conditions of the two poets were similar. Both societies, observing the progress and
technology of the Western world, face a sharp dichotomy between modernity and traditionalism.
The literary situation is similar to the political and social situation. Most writers are protesting
against the current situation and seek to improve the situation of society. Both are influenced by
the West in their symbolism and mythology, especially French literature, and they are mostly
influenced by French symbolists. In the symbolism of both, nature and its elements are very
tangible. Symbolism of both poets are intertwined with philosophy and their poems are associated
with philosophical concept such as the existence and non-existence (Arab, 2017).
Differences
Akhavan has a very simple, lucid and vigorous language, but Adonis’s language is not
simple. Akhavan is inspired more by epic myths, but Adonis pays more attention to religious and
historical myths. Akhavan is the link between traditional art and civil art. But Adonis is a bridge
between tradition and modernity.
In their works, these two poets do not consider tradition as the principle, nor modernity;
rather, they use tradition in the form of modernity and in the light of the philosophy of the
Enlightenment philosophy to explain the cultural, social and political problems of society and
consider the past as a bridge to the future.
Conclusion
By examining and comparing the poems of Adonis and Akhavan regarding the difference
between the mythologies of these two poets, the following results have obtained: Akhavan has
enjoyed more from the ancient heritage of its ancestors and has spoken of it with more authority.
This issue prompted many researchers to ask this question perhaps the mystical heritage which
fascinated Akhavan is more glorious than Adonis’s, which he wants to instill a sense of nationalism
in people who are ignorant of their heritage and have a sense of national powerlessness. Mahdi
Revista de Investigación Apuntes Universitarios
2021: 11(1),321 -337
ISSN 2312-4253(impresa)
ISSN 2078-4015(en línea)
334
Akhavan Sales boasts, praise and adorns his poem with mythical heritage of his ancestor due to
his sincere fascination with them while Adonis in additions to his fascinations constantly seeking
another thing that is, a common ground between himself and his audience. When Akhavan adorns
his poems with the ancient heritage of its predecessors, not only does he considered himself a
follower of the audience's taste, but also forces the audience to reach the celestial his poem are
relying on.
For the other hand, Akhavan is much more influenced by the ancient heritage of his land
than Adonis by the ancient Arab heritage. Because in the poems of Akhavan, next to thought,
language of poetry is also influenced by that ancient heritage. The archaic linguistic structure of
Akhavan’s poems is a true testament to this claim; however, no trace of linguistic antiquity can be
found in the poems of Adonis. Akhavan more broadly influenced by the heritage of his ancestors,
because of that in addition to the strong presence of mythical characters, narration and lexical
archaism, his poems stem from his attachment to the eternal heritage of his ancestors. While
Akhavan use myth in broader, deeper scope, Adonis deals briefly with them and most often
explores the protesting aspects of them in order to instill a spirit of rebellion and protest in his
audience.
References
Adonis, R. (1978). Time of poetry. dar al-awda Publications, Beirut, Lebanon.
https://openlibrary.org/publishers/Dar_al-%27Awdah
Adonis, R. (1979). Introduction to Arabic poetry. Dar Al-Awda Publications, Beirut, Lebanon.
https://openlibrary.org/publishers/Dar_al-%27Awdah
Adonis, R. (1985). The Politics of Poetry,. Studies in Contemporary Arab Poetry, Dar al-Adab
Publications, Beirut, Lebanon. https://openlibrary.org/publishers/Dar_al-%27Awdah
Adonis, R. (1993). han anat ey ha al-vaght. first edition, dar a-adab Publications, Beirut, Lebanon.
https://openlibrary.org/publishers/Dar_al-%27Awdah
Adonis, R. (2002). Aghtasab of Kan and Awatha, Dar al-Balad Publications, Beirut, Lebanon.
https://www.agoda.com/dar-al-balad-furnished-apartment/hotel/jeddah-
sa.html?cid=1844104
Adonis, R. (2007). Blood of Adonis. Translated by Farideh Hassanzadeh, ELM Publication,
Tehran, Iran. http://elmpub.com/
Revista de Investigación Apuntes Universitarios
2021: 11(1),321 -337
ISSN 2312-4253(impresa)
ISSN 2078-4015(en línea)
335
Adonis, R. (2008). wind report card. Translated by Abdolreza Rezaeinia, Markaz Publication,
Tehran, Iran. http://www.nashr-e-markaz.com/
Adonis, R. (2009). Stars in hand. Translated by Musa Asvar, Sokhan Publications, Tehran, Iran.
https://sokhanpub.net/
Ahmadi, H. (2004). Iranian national identity; Its characteristics and dynamics factors, Institute of
National Studies, Iranian Civilization publisher, Tehran, Iran.
https://www.chaponashr.ir/tamadonirani
Akhavan Sales, M. (1990). Innovations and the gift of Nima Yoshij, Bozorgmehr Publications,
Tehran, Iran. https://www.iranketab.ir/publisher/1154
Akhavan Sales, M. (2000). Collection of poems. fifth edition, Morvarid publisher, Tehran, Iran.
https://morvarid.pub/
Akhavan Sales, M. (2006). Three books. Winter Publications, Tehran, Iran.
https://www.iranketab.ir/publisher/1499
Akhavan Sales, M. (2007). The end of Shahnameh. Morvarid Publications, Tehran, Iran.
https://morvarid.pub/
Akhavan Sales, M. (2008). From this Avesta. Winter Publications, Tehran, Iran.
https://www.iranketab.ir/publisher/1499
Arab, A. (2017). Adonis in the field of contemporary poetry and criticism. Ferdowsi University of
Mashhad publisher, Iran. https://press.um.ac.ir/index.php?lang=en
Arafat Al-Dhawi, A. (2005). The Function of Tradition in Contemporary Arabic Poetry. translated
by Seyyed Hossein Seyyedi, Ferdowsi University, Mashhad, Iran.
https://press.um.ac.ir/index.php?lang=en
Ardalan Javan, S. A. (1989). Poetic manifestation of religious myths and narrations in Khaghani's
poems. Astan Quds Razavi Publications, Mashhad, Iran. https://behnashr.razavi.ir/
Ashri Zayed, A. (2016). Calling for inherited personalities in contemporary Arabic poetry, Dar
al-Gharib publisher, Cairo, Egypt. https://openlibrary.org/publishers/Dar_Gharib
Barghul, M. S. (1996). The Language of Contemporary Arabic Poetry. by Khalil Aghani Mahyar
of Damascus, Dar al-Alam publisher, Beirut, Lebanon.
http://publishersunionlb.com/en/index.php/92-publishers-in-lebanon
Barut, H. (1991). Al-Ramziyah. Islamic Publishing House, Beirut.
http://www.intoislam.com/islam/Links/Publishers/
Revista de Investigación Apuntes Universitarios
2021: 11(1),321 -337
ISSN 2312-4253(impresa)
ISSN 2078-4015(en línea)
336
Braheni, R. (1992). Gold in Copper. Zaman Publications, Tehran, Iran.
https://www.manoketab.com/ma
Dastgheib, A. (1994). A Look at Mehdi Akhavan Sales. Morvarid Publishing, Tehran, Iran.
https://morvarid.pub/
Hussein Qasim, A. (1991). Innovation and representation of culture during Adonis. Al-Assad
School publisher, Damascus, Syria. https://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1164390.shtml
Kadkani, M. R. (2015). Contemporary Arabic Poetry. Sokhan Publications, Tehran, Iran.
https://sokhanpub.net/
Rajaei, N. (2016). Myths of Liberation, Psychological Analysis of Myth in Contemporary Arabic
Poetry. Ferdowsi University publisher, Mashhad, Iran.
https://press.um.ac.ir/index.php?lang=en
Revista de Investigación Apuntes Universitarios
2021: 11(1),321 -337
ISSN 2312-4253(impresa)
ISSN 2078-4015(en línea)
337
