The Study of Sage Archetype in Suhrewardi's Risalehs

Archetypal criticism which is based on psychological criticism investigates the archetypes of a work and shows how the mind of writer or poet embodies them symbolically. Pir-e Farzane (the Sage) is one of the most important archetypes whose function is to lead spiritually the archetype of “hero”. In Sufism، Pir-e Tariqat represents such archetype that، by guiding the Wayfarer (the hero of Tariqat) in all difficult stages of Progression، leads him stage-by-stage in this path and brings him to the final destination by spiritual education and correcting carnal disfunctions. The mystical works of Sheikh Shahab al-Din Suhrewardi are not an exception in this regard and presence of the Sage in the symbolic form of a theologian in some allegorical tales like Aql-e Surkh، Avaz-e Par-e Jebreil and Risaleh al-Teyr is the main element of his teachings. In his works، the character of Sage is introduced with expressions such as First Son of Creation، the Lighted White and Red-Faced Old Man، and symbolic worlds like Plain of Knowledge، Qaf Mountain and World of Ideas are considered as the geography of his presence. He is the master of Wayfarer in spiritual Journey from Earth to Heaven and helps him in the difficulties of such Progression. The most important feature of Sage archetype in the works of Suhrewardi is his charismatic character which attracts the Wayfarer by his spiritual attraction and makes him step in the Valley of Progression and dissolves the darknesses of the path in the light of Knowledge which is a feature of Illumination School.