Hüsn Ü Aşk’taki Kitonyen Unsurlarin İşlevselliği
Functionality of the Chtonian Elements in “Hüsn Ü Aşk”

Summary/Abstract: Hüsn ü Aşk (1783) is fundamentally a love story that is open to many different interpretations. As the writer of this mesnevi Seyh Galip also stated, the mystery in this Mesnevi was inspired by the Mesnevî of Mevlânâ Rumî. Hüsn ü Aşk describes the state and position of the Mevlevi dervish within the philosophy of unity of existence. Another part of this work is related with humanity and literature and as such, it incorporates various perspectives including inter alia symbolic, fantastic and fairy tale. This study focuses on the chthonian elements and their function in the text. Chthonian refers to uncanny things or situations related to the underground. The term also covers the deities and spirits of the underground, hell and everything devilish related to hell. The idea that female sexuality and female reproductive organs are connected to nature, darkness and ground is a product of chthonian thinking. We can say that the concept of chthonian in the East corresponds to the western concept of gothic. As a Mesnevi with chthonian elements, Hüsn ü Aşk conveys love in a chthonian atmosphere. The setting includes chthonian spaces such as wells, ruins, hell, underground, mountains full of giants, etc. There are chthonian figures such as underground giants, well genies, devils, witches, monsters and chthonian animals such as dragons, scorpions, snakes and rats, and chthonian elements such as tar and fire. All of these element create an uncanny and chthonian atmosphere which makes the story open to multiple readings.

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