Analys of the structural elements and content of Yûsuf-i Meddâh's Varka and Gülşâh Mesnevi

Mesnevis, a classical form of Turkish literature, carries similarities to modern stories and novels regarding its plot structure, narrative techniques, and structural elements. Thus, methods used in inspecting modern narrative texts can be applied to classical texts. In this context, examining mesnevis through the lens of novelistic features enables a detailed and multifaceted understanding. Yûsuf-ı Meddâh, a poet from the 14th century, is a relatively obscure figure in historical sources. This study focuses on Varka and Gülşâh, a mesnevi written by Yûsuf-ı Meddâh in the 14th century, which is based on an Arabic story. Consisting of 1,744 couplets, the work is written in clear language and circles themes of love and heroism. Varka and Gülşâh and its use of real-life locations make it similar to modern narrative structures. The mesnevi tells the love and struggle for union between Varka and Gülşâh. In Varka ve Gülşâh, various narrative techniques, such as description, dialogue, internal monologue, summarization, flashback, and letter-writing, are extensively employed techniques often associated with novels and short stories. These features demonstrate that this classical text can be examined using methods similar to modern stories and novels. Keywords: Varka ve Gülşâh, mesnevi, narrative, structural elements, narrative techniques.