Traces of 16th-century Ottoman social life in the Divan of Ahmed-i Ridvan

Classical literature derives its material from the society in which it exists. In constant interaction with its social environment, classical literature processes the material it acquires in accordance with established artistic principles. The primary aim of this study is to demonstrate the intrinsic unity between society and classical poetry, while also shedding light on sixteenth-century Ottoman social life through an analysis of the Divan of Ahmed-i Rıdvan, which constitutes the main source of the research. The author of the Divan, Ahmed-i Rıdvân, lived between the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries and witnessed the reigns of three Ottoman sultans. During the reigns of these sultans, he held various important administrative positions, including that of a sancakbey (provincial governor). Recognized as one of the hamse poets of the sixteenth century, Ahmed-i Rıdvan structured his Dīvan into three distinct sections. Halil Çeltik compiled these three parts into a single volume, transcribed into modern Turkish script. The only known manuscript of the Dīvān is currently preserved in the archives of the Türk Dil Kurumu. The present study, which aims to illustrate the integral relationship between classical poetry and social life, began with a comprehensive reading of Ahmed-i Rıdvan's Dīvān several times in its entirety. During this process, couplets believed to reflect elements of social structure were identified and compiled. These selected couplets were then categorized based on the specific aspects of social life they referenced. Each poem related to the topic was analyzed both in terms of its literary value and its sociocultural content, thereby illuminating the interplay between classical poetry and the socio-historical context of the period. In addition, relevant scholarly literature on Ottoman social life was consulted in the structuring of the study. The findings were organized under nine principal thematic categories: following the introduction, these are Social Structure, Customs and Traditions, Entertainment and Leisure, Illnesses and Medical Practices, Clothing and Attire, Food and Cuisine, Everyday Objects, Rivers, Countries and Cities, Public Kitchens (İmaret) and Architectural Structures. Under each heading, insights into the period's societal fabric and the connection between society and classical poetry are presented, based on data drawn directly from the Divan.