Non-Observance of Rhyme in the Epic Poem Vis and Ramin

Abstract

The romantic poem Vis and Ramin, written by Fakhr al-Din As‘ad Gurgānī, is one of the oldest and most significant narrative poems in Persian literature. Since the 11th century CE, it has attracted the attention of poets, critics, and scholars alike. This work is remarkable not only for its narrative structure and romantic themes but also for its artistic and rhetorical qualities. However, one of the key issues in analyzing this poem is the question of rhyme and the extent to which the poet adheres to its conventions. Rhyme, as one of the fundamental pillars of Persian poetry, plays a decisive role in creating external musicality and structural coherence. A close examination of the text of Vis and Ramin reveals that in many verses, the poet does not strictly adhere to the rigid rules of rhyme, showing instances of incomplete rhymes, vowel discrepancies, and unauthorized additions. At first glance, this may appear to be a sign of weakness or deficiency, but deeper analysis indicates that at times, this deviation from traditional rhyme conventions serves as a form of artistic innovation that enhances the poem’s narrative and emotional resonance. The present study, using a descriptive–analytical approach and based on rhetorical and prosodic sources, investigates the manifestations of rhyme non-observance in this poem and analyzes its impact on the musicality of expression, textual aesthetics, and the stylistic position of Fakhr al-Din As‘ad Gurgānī. The findings demonstrate that such non-adherence not only does not diminish the literary value of the poem but also contributes to the enhancement of narrative expressiveness, emotional transmission, and musical diversity.