Key words: exile, homeland, patriotism, literature, classics
Summary
This article examines the themes of patriotism, love of homeland, and exile in 17th–18th century Azerbaijani and Ottoman-Turkish literature. In both literatures, exile emerges as an important motif symbolizing the loneliness, longing, and pain caused by separation from one’s homeland and loved ones. Although Ottoman and Azerbaijani poets express the hardships and sufferings of exile, they provide consolation and hope in the face of this pain through the theme of profound love for their homeland. The homeland is depicted not only as a geographical space but also as a symbol of belonging, peace, and security. This article comparatively examines how these themes are presented in the literatures of both peoples, particularly in medieval classical Divan literature, highlighting how exile and love of homeland create a balance in the emotional world of poets and writers. In conclusion, patriotism and exile play a fundamental role in the aesthetic expression of both individual and social emotions and values through literature.
