Comparative Analysis of Metonymy in Theosophical Verses of Bustan and Theosophical Poems of Motanabbi

ABSTRACT: Metonymy is the most important technique to embellish poet and the most nature way for expression. As any other noble poet who used metonymy, Saadi and Motanabbi represented their artistry in theosophical verses of Bustan and theosophical poems, respectively. The present study descriptively-analytically and comparatively discussed and statistically analyzed metonymy in theosophical verses of Bustan and theosophical poems of Motanabbi. Totally, 311 figures of speechwere extracted from theosophical verses of Bustan. Of this, 132 (42%) were metonymy. From theosophical poems of Motanabbi, 112 figures of speech were also extracted of which 13 (12%) were metonymy. Results showed that metonymy was the highest among four figures of speechfound in theosophical verses of Bustan followed by simile, metaphor and figurative language; while, metonymy is the third highest, following metaphor and simile in theosophical poems of Motanabbi. To categorizemetonymyin terms of metonym, Saadi and Motanabbi mostly used infinitive or verbal metonymy. To categorize metonymy in terms of clarity and secrecy, they mostly used referential metonymy appropriate for theosophical concepts. Referential metonymies of Saadi and Motanabbi (particularly Saadi) are both effective and early-detected in their theosophical poems; so that, the audience can easily find their secondary meaning by context and introductions of the discourse.