A Comparison of the Meaning of Platonic Love in Sir Philip Sidney’s Astrophel and Stella and Voyeurism in Divan of Hafiz

Subject Areas : شعر

Sima Farshid ¹ (Faculty Member, Islamic Azad University, Karaj Branch)
Parvaneh Shahin Nejad ² (Graduated from Islamic Azad University, Karaj Branch)

Received: 2012-09-19 Accepted : 2012-09-19 Published : 2010-05-01

Keywords: عرفان, Mysticism, sonnet, حافظ, غزل, Platonic love, Voyeurism, Ambiguity, Symposium, Christ, Keeper, عشق افلاطونى, نظربازى, ایهام, سمپوزیوم, مسیح,

Abstract :

The theme of many poems especially sonnets in world’s literature is “Love”; sonnet is in fact poetry of love which wells up from the heart of the lovers. At times this love originates from such ideology and philosophy that it is hardly paraphrased. Plato who lived in the era of polytheism has such a peculiar perception of love that distinguishes him completely from other philosophers of his time; the love which connects him to the divine origin of life. The impact of platonic love could be clearly observed in renaissance sonnets and in the works of poets like Petrarch who was himself inspiring for British poets like Spencer and Sir Philip Sydney. East also represents different complicated forms of love which are influenced by mystic thoughts especially Islamic mysticism. One of these representations of eastern love is voyeurism which is a way to reach spiritual love. The present article compares the meaning of platonic love in Sir Philip Sidney’s Strophe and Stella with voyeurism in Divan of Hafiz.