28
The arts of tashbih, tanosub and irsoli masal
Textbook: pp. 220–222
GoalTell the arts of tashbih, tanosub and irsoli masal apart.
New words
tashbih, simile · tashbih (o‘xshatish)tanosub, harmony of related words · tanosubirsoli masal, citing a proverb · irsoli masalground (basis) of comparison · asos
Explanation
Tashbih is comparing two things with each other. It may have four elements: oxshamish (what is being compared), oxshatilmish (to what), asos (in what respect) and vosita (a marker like -dek or “kabi”). Not all elements are needed: when only oxshamish and oxshatilmish remain it is “mutlaq tashbih”, and when only oxshatilmish remains it is “kinoya tashbih”. Tanosub is using words related in meaning side by side; for example the words shoh, hokim and mulk (king, ruler, realm) create the idea of power. Irsoli masal is quoting a proverb in a work to prove a thought; in “Sab’ai sayyor” a proverb is cited that fits Jobir’s falling into the well.
Worked examples
Example: “The child’s eyes shone like stars” – oxshamish: eyes, oxshatilmish: star, asos: shining, vosita: -dek.
Example: the words “school, lesson, book, notebook, pupil” build the idea of education – tanosub.
Class activity
Compose three similes of your own: one with four elements and one with just two.
Practice
1
Name the four elements of tashbih.
Oxshamish, oxshatilmish, asos, vosita.
2
What remains in kinoya tashbih?
Only the oxshatilmish.
3
Which art do the words “shoh, hokim, mulk” create?
Tanosub.
4
Why is irsoli masal needed?
A proverb proves the thought and increases the verse’s effect.