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The Rubáiyát by the Persian poet 'Umar Khayyaem (1048-1131) is used in contemporary Iran as a resistance literature, symbolizing the secularist voice in cultural debates. While Islamic fundamentalists criticize Khayyaem as an atheist and materialist philosopher who questions God's creation and the promise of reward or punishment in the hereafter, secularist intellectuals see in him an example of a scientist who scrutinizes the mysteries of the world. Others see a spiritual master, a Sufi, who guides people to the truth. This volume collects eighteen essays on the history of the reception of 'Umar Khayyaem in various literary traditions, exploring how his philosophy of doubt, carpe diem, hedonism, and in vino veritas has inspired generations of poets, novelists, painters, musicians, calligraphers and film-makers.

Ramaz ̄an ̄i, Muhsin. --- Quatrains, Persian --- Languages & Literatures --- Germanic Languages --- Indo-Iranian Languages & Literatures --- Quatrains, Persian. --- Omar Khayyam. --- Persian quatrains --- Omar Khayyam --- Criticism and interpretation. --- Influence. --- Persian poetry

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This book is the first study of Persian literary riddles to appear in English, analysing a wide range of complex riddling poems systematically from the tenth to the twelfth century. In addition to the genre of riddles, the book examines the relationship between metaphors and riddles and the genre of literary description.

Riddles belong to the oldest genre in many literary traditions. Riddles were composed at courts in the Iranian world for various purposes, such as highlighting the courtly insignia that refer to the ruler's administrative and military power. The aesthetic of puzzlement was much appreciated at courts. Through a riddle, the poet aims to demonstrate his artistic accomplishment in a short space; and at the same time he secures his social, professional and personal position at the court and in cultured circles. Literary riddles occur in the early specimens of Persian literature from the tenth century and they continue to be used in modern Iranian society.

Persian literature --- Riddles in literature. --- History and criticism. --- Persian poetry --- Riddles, Persian. --- Persian riddles --- poetry, riddles, metaphors, Persian literature, 10th-12th century, literary description, Iran.