Lessons 22–23 · 2 lessons · B. To‘xliyev, B. Karimov, K. Usmonova. Literature: textbook-collection for Grade 11 of secondary schools and for students of secondary specialised and vocational institutions, Parts 1–2. 1st edition. “O‘zbekiston milliy ensiklopediyasi” State Scientific Publishing House, Tashkent, 2018
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About the dastan “Saddi Iskandariy”
Textbook: Part 1, pp. 152–157
GoalAnalyse the structure, plot and artistic character of the epic “Saddi Iskandariy.”
New words
Khamsa, the quintet of five epics · «Xamsa»conclusion · xotimaadventure · sarguzashtmutaqarib, a metre of aruz · mutaqorib
Explanation
“Saddi Iskandariy” is the concluding and longest epic of the “Khamsa” and has 89 chapters: chapters 1–14 are the introduction, 15–87 the main part and 88–89 the conclusion. The main part covers 18 themes, in each of which Iskandar’s adventure, a reflection on the theme, a related tale and sayings from the dialogue of Iskandar with Arastu or other sages follow one another. In the plot, Faylaqus finds and raises Iskandar, who takes the throne with justice and refuses to pay tribute to Doro; Doro dies at the hands of his own guards, and Iskandar then goes to Khorasan, Kashmir, India and China. The epic is not a war chronicle: Iskandar is depicted as an enterprising, just and learned ruler, and scholars as important helpers. The “Khamsa” was created in 1483–1485, in two years; “Saddi Iskandariy” was written in 1485 in 7,215 couplets in the metre mutaqarib musammani mahzuf.
Worked examples
Example: Iskandar’s reply that the birds that lay golden eggs have flown away is a symbolic way of refusing to pay tribute.
Example: When Doro sends a ball, a polo stick and sesame, Iskandar reads the ball as the earth, the stick as the symbol of ruling it and the sesame as feed for his birds – as if Doro had made him a gift of the world – an example of quick wit.
Class activity
Table: from memory build a chart of the five epics of the “Khamsa” (year, number of chapters, number of couplets), then compare it with the textbook table.
Practice
1
How many chapters does “Saddi Iskandariy” have and how are they divided?
89 chapters: 1–14 introduction, 15–87 main part, 88–89 conclusion.
2
In what order is each theme treated in the main part?
Adventure – reflection – tale – sayings (the question-and-answer of Iskandar and Arastu).
3
What did Doro send Iskandar, what did he intend, and how did Iskandar reply?
He sent a ball, polo stick and sesame, belittling him as a child; Iskandar explained them as the earth, a symbol of ruling and bird food.
4
Why is “Saddi Iskandariy” said not to be a war chronicle?
Because the main place is taken not by campaigns but by philosophical-didactic reflections on justice, knowledge, manners and wisdom.