Osmanlı’da Resmi Bir Poetika Kurumu Re’isü’ş-Şu’arâ Müessesesi: Temsilcileri ve Prensipleri
An Ottoman Poetical Institution Reisush-Shuara Organization: Representatives And Principles

Summary/Abstract: In the 18th century, a state institution assumed the mantle of poetic criticism with the aim of delineating the essence of poetry and identifying those worthy of the title “poet.” This institution, known as Reisush-Shuara (Head of Poets), originated when Sultan Ahmet III bestowed the responsibility upon Osmanzade Tâ’ib, succeeding the transfer of duties from Grand Vizier Ibrahim Pasha to Sayyid Vehbî, and subsequently passed to Sunbulzade Vehbî under the directive of Grand Vizier Halil Pasha, ultimately culminating in the appointment of Cypriot Hilmi Efendi by Mahmud II. The institution’s mode of literary expression primarily revolved around the quasida form, derived from Islamic poetic structures. Initially commencing with the Vekaletname (attorneys’ oaths), this form of expression transitioned to Suhan (word), which held inherent poetic value. Despite the pivotal role of the institution in shaping poetic discourse, a comprehensive study on its poetic evaluations remains absent. Hence, this study aims to elucidate the poetic methodologies embraced by the institution, shedding light on the official poetics of the Ottoman Empire and contributing to the comprehension of literary evolution from the Ottoman era to the present. The significance of this investigation lies in its potential to unveil the unique poetical paradigms of the institution, elucidating its representatives, elucidating the principles guiding its operations, and delineating its perspectives on artistic expression through the lens of its narrative poetic tradition.

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