Resurrection Day in Divan Literature

Abstract

The day of resurrection and the signs thereof have attracted the attention of the poets and authors of divan literature. That the expectation of resurrection persisted among the people is attested to by the production of illustrated copies of anonymous works. Various poetic and prose works have been produced that describe and depict the period from death to resurrection, that is, the realm of transition, as well as works that describe and depict heaven, hell and the day of judgment with its signs. This paper deals with the works of authors and poets, who lived between the thirteenth and eighteenth centuries and who either directly described this theme or depicted it by way of allusion and metaphor. Religious and mystic themes occupy a large place in works produced during the first phase of Turkish literature, which started to develop since the first half of the 13 th century in Anatolia. Particularly in Islamic histories, Koran interpretations and hadith books that were translated from Arabic to Turkish in this early era, detailed religious information and various beliefs were represented concerning the formation of the universe and other creatures and the end of life on earth. There are numerous ayats in the Koran which refer to the day of resurrection and to the end of the Earth, which is defined as the day on which all living beings shall die and be resurrected by God, as well as references to the signs that signify the coming of that day. The day of resurrection and the signs thereof have attracted the attention of the poets and authors of divan literature, who have been inspired by the Koran and who in their works have reflected a common Islamic worldview. They have either directly described this theme or depicted it by way of allusion and metaphor. Separate poetic and prose works have been produced that describe and depict the period from death to resurrection, that is, the realm of transition, or works that describe and depict the day of judgment with its signs, the heaven, and the hell. Also, beliefs concerning resurrection were dealt with in works on different subjects, or they were included in religious works as independent parts. Literature & Theology 18/1. © Oxford University Press 2004; all rights reserved. This content downloaded from 207.46.13.28 on Wed, 31 Aug 2016 04:28:13 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms