An Analysis of the Role and Function of Metaphor in the Poetry of Sadegh Osyan (with Emphasis on the Call of A Hundred Ghazals)

Abstract

Metaphor, as one of the most important and prominent literary devices, plays a key role in enriching language and effectively conveying meanings in literature, especially in poetry. The present study offers a detailed and systematic examination of the place and function of metaphor in the prominent work The Call of a Hundred Ghazals by Master Osyan, a renowned contemporary poet from Balkh. The central issue of this research is the analysis of the structure and role of metaphor in reflecting human thoughts and emotions in Osyan's poetry. This study has been conducted using a descriptive-analytical method, aiming to provide a comprehensive and in-depth rhetorical analysis of the impact and significance of metaphor in shaping the poetic concepts of this work. The findings of the research indicate that Sadegh Osyan has skillfully employed a wide variety of metaphors in The Call of a Hundred Ghazals. Detailed analyses have revealed that 71 metaphors have been identified in this work, including 22 abstract explicit metaphors, 11 adorned explicit metaphors, 6 absolute explicit metaphors, and 32 implicit metaphors. This research confirms the key role of metaphor in highlighting the semantic and aesthetic elements of Osyan’s poetry and emphasizes its importance as a powerful tool of literary expression.