M.A. Thesis:

Content and structural analysis of Mehrdad Avesta's sonnets

Sonnets are among the best poetic, lyrical forms for expressing romantic feelings and emotions. In effect, those poets who are interested in romantic themes usually choose such literary forms. Within contemporary lyrical sonnets, convergence towards the same Iraqi style can be seen among the expert poets on this genre such as Shahriyar, Avesta, etc. Despite the highlights made during Nimayi's poetry era, some have stepped into the realm of traditional poetry. Among the poets of second Pahlavi dynasty, there have been two traditional currents along with Nimayi's poetry who have continued in parallel contrasts. Among the latter, one may refer to Shahriyar, Emad Khorasani, Hamidi Shirazi, Bakhtiari, Avesta, Rahi among others. Mohammad Reza Rahmani, known as "Mehrdad Avesta", was originally born in 1308 in Boroujerd, Iran. He continued his literary practices in Tehran. In the twenties onward, he found his way half through Tehran Literary Associations. He preferred classical poetry especially ode and lyric poetry over Nimayi's poetry. He has made significant contributions to the field of poetry and literary research, including Khayyam's treatises, Salman Savoji's Divan Correction, Research Methods in Persian Grammar, Literary Articles, Tirana, Homemade Wine, Contemplative Fear, Palizban, Rama (Selected Poems and Another epic pertained with Imam). Although Avesta is mostly famous for his odds, he has other great achievements in other literary forms such as sonnets, continuous couplet and even new poetry. His sonnets are very pleasant and endowed with fluency, straightforwardness and composed in the style of Iraqi lyrics. Structurally, his sonnets can be examined in terms of four types of music: externally, internally, laterally, and on an interior basis. In terms of content, the subject of his lyrical poems is mere love and affection between and among the lover and the beloved. This dissertation is organized into four chapters: the first chapter deals with the generalities of research and the second chapter deals with the theoretical foundations of research. In the third chapter, the life, thoughts and poetry of Avesta are stated. In the fourth chapter, Mehrdad Avesta's sonnets are both semantically and structurally analyzed in detail. Finally, the results of the discussion are given.

Keywords: Mehrdad Avesta; Sonnets, Structure, Content, Exploration