Stylistic techniques to generate humor: an analysis of humorous instructive examples cited in the <i>Gardens of Magic</i>

Abstract This article scrutinizes the utilization of stylistic devices for the generation of humor in literature, with a particular focus on Ḥadāʾiq al-Siḥr fī Daqāʾiq al-Shiʿr (Gardens of Magic in the Minutiae of Poetry), authored by Rashīd al-Dīn Waṭwaṭ (d. 1182). Functioning as a comprehensive guide to figures of speech and literary eloquence, Ḥadāʾiq al-Siḥr employs examples from both Arabic and Persian literature to elucidate its principles. While primarily devoted to panegyrics, Ḥadāʾiq al-Siḥr does not disregard humor, employing humorous samples to clarify the subtleties of this genre. Waṭwaṭ, adhering to the medieval pedagogical tradition, furnishes concise explanations coupled with multiple illustrations, demanding an in-depth analysis of instructive examples to unveil their intricacies. Employing the script-based theory of analyzing humor, this study scrutinizes humorous instances within Ḥadāʾiq al-Siḥr , providing insights into Waṭwaṭ’s approach to comedic elements in literature. Beyond this, the article explores the foundational aspects of humor creation within the medieval literary conventions of Persian and Arabic, thereby contributing to a nuanced comprehension of this literary genre.