Reason, A Barrier or A Bridge to Pure Life: A Comparative Study of the Poems of Rumi and Blake

Although Jalaluddin Rumi and William Blake hail from different literary and cultural contexts, their poems bear interesting affinities. However, these affinities have not been fully addressed by scholars. This paper will examine the role of reason in the poetry of Rumi and Blake with regard to human endeavor towards pure life which is union with God. In other words, the researchers attempt to find out how it is possible to gain an in-depth understanding of the theme of reason in the poetry of Rumi and Blake through analyzing and interpreting their poems. In addition, the study tries to see what the similarities and differences between the poetry of Rumi and Blake are in a comparative manner, especially with regard to the theme of reason.

The selected poems will be from Rumi’s “Masnavi” and Blake’s “Book of Urizen” and “Four Zoas”. To compare both poets’ views on reason, Totosy de Zepetnek’s approach of inclusion will be employed. This comparative study is constructed on the doctrine of perennial philosophy led by Aldous Huxley. The discussion will concentrate on two main aspects namely, partial reason and its function as a barrier to the good and pure life (Hayāt Tayyiba) as a desirable human lifestyle and union with God. The second aspect concerns universal reason and its function as a bridge to union with the Absolute Being.

Even though Rumi and Blake are originally from diverse geographical, political, social, and religious milieu, they have shared common ideas regarding the concepts of reason. Thus, a comparative study of the two literary giants will pave the way for those who are interested in finding the commonalities of Sufism and Romanticism particularly in the poetry of Rumi and Blake.