Persia in German Baroque literature—Sa'dī's Rose Garden and Adam Olearius's embassy to Persia: Global history and world literature from a pre‐modern perspective. (19th February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Classen, Albrecht
• Is Part Of: Orbis litterarum. Volume 76:Number 2(2021)
• Page Start: 51
• Page End: 66
• Publication Date: 2021-02-19
• Subjects: Adam Olearius -- global literature -- Persia in early modern German literature -- reception history -- Sa'dī -- translations; Literature -- History and criticism -- Periodicals; 809
• DOI: 10.1111/oli.12288
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0105-7510

Abstract

Abstract : Despite renewed efforts to establish world literature, most of the presently available theoretical models do not provide solid concepts as to the meaning and relevance of this approach. After a critical review of recent publications, this article analyzes a unique and most revealing case, the reception of medieval Persian literature (Sa' dī) through translations into European languages beginning in the seventeenth century, primarily by the German diplomat, traveler, librarian, philologist, and linguist Adam Olearius. Here we can observe what truly constitutes world literature, with Sa' dī serving as a major literary inspiration for early modern reflections on virtues and vices, relevant also for Western audiences. He was not a Christian, but the poet's truly noble ideals were to have a deep impression on his future readers in East and West, especially since the early modern age.