Polemics in the 16th century tazkirahs* based on the concepts of debate, satire, humour and criticism

This study aims to analyse the polemics in Classical Turkish literature in the context of 16th century biographical collections (tazkirahs). In the introduction, the concept of polemics is defined, and then other concepts that may be related to polemics in Classical Turkish literature are identified. In the first chapter, the concepts of debate (tartışma), satire (hiciv), humour (mizah), and criticism (tenkit), which are directly or indirectly related to polemics, are introduced along with their subcategories. In the second chapter, how the concept of debate and its related terms are used in the 16th century biographical collections (tazkirahs) is revealed. Based on the contexts of the biographical collections (tazkirahs), the definitions of these terms have been revised, and it has been determined that some of these terms tend to become conceptualized. At the end of this chapter, incidents containing polemics and poems for debate expressed in a polemical style are included. In the final chapter, the concepts of satire, humor, and criticism are once again defined through 16th century biographical collections, where it is observed that some terms also show a tendency towards conceptualization. At the end of this chapter, incidents containing polemics and poems for debate expressed in a polemical style are included once again. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that, contrary to the general belief in the literature, the concept of polemics can also be associated with Classical Turkish literature. Through this study, public incidents mentioned in the 16th century biographical collections (tazkirahs) have been analysed, shedding light on the social life of the period. Poems expressed in a polemical style have been presented and analysed in the context of polemics. In addition, new data that may contribute to the literary criticism of Classical Turkish literature have been obtained.