Examining the Manifestation of Romanticism in the Poetry of Hamidi Shirazi and Mehrdad Avesta

Abstract

Romanticism is a literary school that emerged in Europe after Classicism. This style arose from a shift among writers toward the lower social classes, diverging from the aristocratic orientation characteristic of Classical literature, and it introduced a heightened focus on emotion into the literary world. Although Romanticism was primarily applied in novel writing, it is also analyzable in poetry, encompassing elements related to lyricism, individual and collective sentiment, love for both the individual and society, nostalgia, and compassion—elements that had already existed in the classical Persian poetic tradition. This study investigates and compares the components of Romanticism in the poetry of Hamidi Shirazi and Mehrdad Avesta. The findings indicate that Hamidi Shirazi employs more romantic themes in his poetry, showing a stronger inclination toward nostalgic reflections and imaginary beloveds in the Iraqi style, with limited engagement in social issues. In contrast, Mehrdad Avesta demonstrates a greater collective orientation. In his early works, Avesta employed elements of individual Romanticism, including depictions of nature, descriptions of the beloved, and expressions of sorrow and grief. However, in his later poems—especially those written after the Revolution—romantic elements become less prominent, giving way to revolutionary themes and spiritual love, thereby reinforcing his social Romanticism. Both poets’ works explore themes such as love, sorrow and grief, nostalgia, despair, and material and cultural poverty.