Zakani
Obaid Zakani (? - 1370) is best known today as a satirist, but many
of his works were also remarkable examples of classical poetry. He lived
and wrote during the Timurid Period (14th Century CE). A native of Qazvin,
he studied in Shiraz under the master poets of the day and was a contemporary of
Hafez. However, he tended to turn his talents toward more "earthy" subject
matters than many of his mystical contemporaries. He wrote the Resaleh-ye Delgosha, as well as Akhlaq al-Ashraf ("Ethics of the Aristocracy") and the famous humorous fable Masnavi Mush-O-Gorbeh (Mouse and Cat), which was a political satire. His non-satirical serious classical verses have also been regarded as very well written, in league with the other great works of Persian literature. He is one of the most remarkable poets, satirists and social critics of Persia, whose works have not received proper attention in the past. |
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