Stereotypical Expressions in Early Ottoman Literature. Sunrise and Sunset

Abstract

The classical Ottoman epic poetry disposed of a great variety of stereotype expressions which caused that the poetic style was extremely ornate and sublime. This paper deals with two expressions used to describe the sunrise and sunset, which were very popular in Turkish poetry, not only in Anatolia but also in Central Asia. The main reason the use stereotypical expressions and clichés was to evoke unusual images or associations with colorful and wonderful creatures of nature. Most of these stereotype expressions were borrowed from Persian poetry, but they underwent often a transformation leading to their simplification and to make them more appropriated to the Turkish literary tradition. Examples chosen from well known literary works to illustrate the expression of sunrise and sunset testify a richness of stylistic means like similes and metaphors.