Abstract

It was in the 11th century A.D. that Turkish literature was influenced by both Arabic and Persian literature. Having said that, Turkish literature , which was constituted during the Islamic era, was greatly influenced by Arabic literature in form and content. More over, this influence was not a mere imitation or copying as much as it was according to the national language properties, culture and thinking of the Turkish people. In the midst of this influence, Arabic eloquence (rhetoric language) radically inspired Turkish language and literature. Further more, eloquence in the old Turkish literature was similar to that of Arabic eloquence in classification and subject matters. Thus, the topic of “simile” had a great share in the production of Turkish literature. All things considered, this research addresses “simile” in old Turkish literature as far as its types, purposes and pillars are concerned by using Turkish poetic examples.Key words: Turkish literature, Divan (classic Turkish) literature, eloquence, simile.