The Head of Hafez in the Tales of Others

Undoubtedly, the magic of Hafez’s poetry continues to enchant, and people remain fascinated by the profound meaning of his melodic, astonishingly simple yet impenetrable words. What is the true meaning behind references to love and wine, and to the rose and nightingale? What explains the Western obsessive attention to Hafez and his ghazals (despite obvious differences in artistic concepts, language, culture, and temporal gaps)? Hafez’s poetry is undoubtedly the pinnacle of linguistic and literary skill. Perhaps the reason for such warm reception of Hafez’s poetics in the West lies more in its timeless charm than in its artistic qualities. In this search for understanding, many complex yet universal issues can be seen; issues such as the transience of life, the incomprehensible nature of fate, and the unstable nature of worldly matters, all of which bewilder and overcome reason. These powerful and subtle themes have been eloquently expressed by the most articulate writers with simple and rhythmic order. The elevation of these grand and powerful pieces inspires us. It is mistaken to think that Hafez’s poetry is merely sensual, as his poetry embodies the human-centered qualities of Persian poetry.