Enderunlu Fâzıl Perspectives on Sexuality and Gender in Eighteenth-Century Ottoman Poetry

Egüz E.

Anthropology of the Middle East, vol.20, no.1, pp.75-91, 2025 (Scopus) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 20 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2025
  • Doi Number: 10.3167/ame.2025.200105
  • Journal Name: Anthropology of the Middle East
  • Journal Indexes: Scopus, Academic Search Premier, IBZ Online, International Bibliography of Social Sciences, Anthropological Literature, Arab World Research Source, Index Islamicus, MLA - Modern Language Association Database, Sociological abstracts, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Page Numbers: pp.75-91
  • Keywords: eighteenth century, Enderunlu Fâzıl, gender, Ottoman, sexuality, Turkish poetry
  • Istanbul University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This study explores the poetry of Enderunlu Fâzıl, an 18th-century Ottoman poet. In his book Hûbân-nâme (The Book of Beauties), he described the physical appearance and traits of men from different parts of the world. Despite his lack of interest in women, he also wrote Zenân-nâme (The Book of Women) at his male lover’s request. Fâzıl also wrote Çengi-nâme (The Book of Dancers), which describes Istanbul’s famous male dancers, and Defter-i Aşk (Love’s Register), in which he shared his own same-sex love stories. This article provides an overview of Enderunlu Fâzıl’s perspective on gender and sexuality. It draws upon all of his writings to comprehensively examine his general opinions on men and women, his preferences and dislikes regarding both genders, and his perspectives on sexuality.