Ancient Insights in Modern Discourse: Literary Topoi in the Pursuit of Peace
Abstract
This study explores a significant aspect in the analysis of literary topoi, which involves connecting texts from diverse cultural, historical, and literary backgrounds. Building upon a previous investigation into the position of topoi in comparative literature studies, the aim of the present research is to illustrate how these recurring concepts can bridge texts from different contexts. This facilitates a meaningful exchange among readers, enhancing the comprehension of shared ideas and potentially contributing to peace and harmony. Furthermore, this study reveals that the presence of topoi extends beyond the realm of literature and can be found in diverse cultural mediums such as television or cinema. To support these arguments, the analysis focuses on the portrayal of «madness of love» in an Iranian television series called Shahrzad (2015), directed by Hassan Fathi, and in the American play Mourning Becomes Electra (1931) by Eugene O’Neill. By tracing their origins to Shakespeare’s Othello, itself highly influenced by western classical literature, this analysis highlights the enduring impact of topoi across different periods and cultural contexts.
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