A Narratology of Early Operas in Iran and Türkiye: The Case Study of ‘Eshqi’s The Resurrection of Iranian Kings and Edib-Adıvar’s The Shepherds of Kenan

Year 2024, Issue: 39, 33 - 44, 31.12.2024

Saghar Maneshi Behrooz Mahmoodi-bakhtiari

Abstract

From its inception, drama in Iran and Türkiye has not only relied on diegetic methods of narrating, but has also integrated music as an essential component. Following exposure to Western drama through translations and adaptations, writers in these two countries began exploring innovative approaches. Thisshift led to the development of new creative fields, including opera and operetta composition. The earliest examples of this shift are The Resurrection of Iranian Kings by Mirza¯deh ‘Eshqi (1915) and The Shepherds of Kenan by Halide Edib-Adıvar (1916). This comparative study examines these two early operas to determine their positions within the realm of diegesis and mimesis. By analyzing their narratives through the lenses of plot, characterization, and spatial-temporal elements, the study reveals that while these works maintain connections to their diegetic predecessors, their narrative discourse structures exhibit distinct differences.

Keywords

Dramatic Literature, Narratology, Opera, The Resurrection of Iranian Kings, The Shepherds of Kenan

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