THE PATH TAKEN BY OUR EPIC POEM IN THE RESEARCH OF AZADE RUSTAMOVA

The monograph of the prominent literary scholar Azada Rustamova entitled “The Paths of Development of Azerbaijani Epic Poetry” (XII-XVII centuries) is valuable as a work that deeply examines the history, poetic structure and genre characteristics of Azerbaijani epic poetry, emphasizing the traditions of our national literature and the value of epic poetry. This study by A. Rustamova is valuable as a study that shows not only the past of the Azerbaijani epic poetry, but also the directions of its future artistic development. In this study, the issues that A. Rustamova comprehensively analyzes the history, form and content features of epic poetry, its changes in different periods and the development line are as follows: 1. The essence and features of epic poetry 2. The emergence and historical stages of epic poetry 3. The creativity of poets and their influence on epic poetry In Azerbaijani literature, she emphasizes the contributions of Nizami Ganjavi, Khagani, Fuzuli and other classics to the enrichment of epic poetry traditions 4. Sufi philosophy and epic poetry Azade Rustamova shows, in particular, the influence of Sufi philosophy on Azerbaijani epic poetry, how Sufi ideas harmonize with epic elements. 5. The issue of the influence of oral folk literature on epic poetry in the 16th-17th centuries