Similar and Opposite Freedom Metaphors in Rumi’s Masnavi: Necessity, Compatibilism, and the Simile Theory of Metaphor

Metaphors of freedom in Rumi's Masnavi can be understood through the Simile Theory, which treats metaphors as condensed similes based on similarity between domains. Rumi uses two types: apparently similar metaphors (like liberation and breaking chains) that emphasize agency and control, and apparently opposite metaphors (like slavery and imprisonment) that suggest true freedom comes through submission and self-annihilation. Both types are explained by the Simile Theory, differing in whether the similarity is explicit and physical or implicit and metaphysical. These metaphors reflect different dimensions of freedom within Islamic necessitarian theology, philosophy, and mysticism. The paradoxical nature of freedom aligns with metaphors of love, where unity transcends dualistic perceptions.

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Abstract

Abstract This article examines metaphors of freedom in Rumi’s Masnavi through the lens of the Simile Theory, which posits that metaphors are condensed forms of similes, grounded in similarities between two conceptual domains. Rumi employs two distinct types of metaphors to convey the concept of freedom: apparently similar metaphors (e.g., liberation, breaking chains) and apparently opposite metaphors (e.g., slavery, imprisonment). The former aligns with the conventional understanding of freedom, emphasizing agency, control, and alternative possibilities. In contrast, the latter appears to negate these very components, suggesting that true freedom is achieved through submission and the annihilation of the self. The article argues that both metaphor types can be elucidated by the Simile Theory, with the key distinction lying in the nature of the similarity: ‘explicit, physical similarity’ in the case of similar metaphors, and ‘implicit, metaphysical similarity’ in the case of opposite metaphors. By situating Rumi’s metaphors within the necessitarian framework of Islamic theology, philosophy, and mysticism, the article demonstrates that these metaphors reflect different dimensions of freedom. The paradoxical nature of freedom in Rumi’s thought is further illuminated by its alignment with the metaphors of love, where the pursuit of unity and oneness transcends dualistic perceptions of existence.