Analysis of “Qutadg‘u bilig”

The title means “knowledge that leads to happiness”: the poem says that qut, i.e. happiness, is found through knowledge and the right path. It was written as a philosophical-moral guide for the Karakhanid state, so it discusses the duties of the ruler, vizier, envoy, scribe and treasurer. The most active character in these debates is Ogdulmish, who argues with Ozghurmish; Ozghurmish (“the one who awakens”) is a pious ascetic who refuses the king’s invitation three times and prefers to enrich the soul, not the body. Oytoldi’s death during the story points to the transience of fortune. Artistically the work uses images such as the bow and arrow, the tongue as a caged lion and the horse as the ignorant person, and shows strong influence of folk oral art; Yusuf likens Turkic words to wild mountain deer that he tamed.