A Comparative Analysis of Psychological Traits and Personality Components in the Ghazals of Hafez and Saadi

A Comparative Analysis of Psychological Traits and Personality Components in the Ghazals of Hafez and Saadi

Abstract
Persian literature, particularly in the form of ghazals, is considered an important manifestation of emotional, psychological, and personality experiences within Iranian culture. Among classical Persian poets, Hafez and Saadi hold preeminent positions, reflecting a special mental and emotional world in their ghazals. Using literary psychology and personality theories, this study provides a comparative analysis of the psychological traits and personality components in the ghazals of Hafez and Saadi. The research adopts a descriptive-analytical method based on a desk study. The data are collected from the ghazals of these two poets, reputable critical studies on Hafez and Saadi, and personality psychology theories. The findings reveal that Saadi portrays an experiential, relationship-oriented, and emotionally balanced personality, but Hafez presents a sophisticated, multifaceted, and inward-looking personality, indicating psychological and social tensions through symbolism, irony, and rendi. Saadi’s ghazals view love largely within the framework of human relationships and lived experience, but Hafez’s often have symbolic, philosophical, and sometimes critical forms. These distinctions indicate two different personality patterns within the Persian ghazal tradition.
Keywords
Hafez, Saadi, Literary Psychology, Personality, Ghazal, Emotion Regulation