A Reflection on the Reasons for Misattributed Poems in Persian Poetry

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD in Persian Language and Literature, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran.

2 Master of Arts in Persian Language and Literature, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.

Abstract

The role of anthologies (Jong), biographical dictionaries (Tazkereh), and ancient manuscripts in correcting texts and recovering poets' lost verses is undeniable. However, these very resources, which can even reconstruct the divan of a forgotten poet, are themselves the source of significant errors in the accurate attribution of poetry. The extent of these inaccuracies is directly dependent on the degree of reliability and authenticity of each specific manuscript. This research, employing a descriptive-analytical approach, investigates the roots of "misattributions" within these texts. These misattributions predominantly stem from uncritical and Based on conjecture, including: a poet's fame in specific poetic forms or styles, onomastic similarities (in names or Nickname of the poet), the unconscious repetition and imitation of later sources, imprecise citations in prose texts, deliberate forgery, and additions made by scribes. Given that a considerable number of newly found poems and ambiguous attributions have entered the accepted corpus of poets through this very channel, this study emphasizes the necessity for editors and researchers to exercise greater scholarly caution when utilizing these sources.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Persian Language and Iranian Dialects

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 03 November 2025

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