Between History and Fictionality: The Telescoping Advice in Ibn áºafarâs SulwÄn al-muá¹ÄÊ¿ and Its Reception
In: Journal of Abbasid StudiesSearch for other papers by Francesca Bellino in
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Abstract
The first part of the article focuses on the opening and closing chapters of Sicilian born polymath Ibn áºafarâs (d. ca. 566 /1171) mirror for princes, SulwÄn al-muá¹ÄÊ¿, which are devoted to âtrusting [God]â (tafwÄ«á¸) and âself-denialâ (zuhd) respectively, and analyzes the combination of historical narratives and animal fables contained therein. In the complex âtelescopingâ structure devised by Ibn áºafar, both types of narratives represent an essential tool for reflecting on political circumstances related to the role of a local ruler. From this perspective, the analysis targets the relationship between history and fictionality set by the author and the transition from one dimension to the other. The final part of the article considers the reception of the SulwÄn al-muá¹ÄÊ¿ by Ayyubid and Mamluk authors and their different approaches to various types of narratives when quoting (more or less substantial) parts of Ibn áºafarâs work.
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Between History and Fictionality: The Telescoping Advice in Ibn áºafarâs SulwÄn al-muá¹ÄÊ¿ and Its Reception
In: Journal of Abbasid StudiesSearch for other papers by Francesca Bellino in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Abstract
The first part of the article focuses on the opening and closing chapters of Sicilian born polymath Ibn áºafarâs (d. ca. 566 /1171) mirror for princes, SulwÄn al-muá¹ÄÊ¿, which are devoted to âtrusting [God]â (tafwÄ«á¸) and âself-denialâ (zuhd) respectively, and analyzes the combination of historical narratives and animal fables contained therein. In the complex âtelescopingâ structure devised by Ibn áºafar, both types of narratives represent an essential tool for reflecting on political circumstances related to the role of a local ruler. From this perspective, the analysis targets the relationship between history and fictionality set by the author and the transition from one dimension to the other. The final part of the article considers the reception of the SulwÄn al-muá¹ÄÊ¿ by Ayyubid and Mamluk authors and their different approaches to various types of narratives when quoting (more or less substantial) parts of Ibn áºafarâs work.
| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 875 | 255 | 7 |
| Full Text Views | 47 | 3 | 0 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 125 | 11 | 0 |
