Book Review: Layli and Majnun
“He who searches for his beloved is not afraid of the world”
Every so often you come across stories that really hits you, like a wrecking ball to the soul. It cuts that deep. I closed the pages of this book and knew something within had changed. For better? For worse? Who knows! But the world looks a little deeper after hearing the heart-breaking story of Layli and Majnun. People in life aspire to different things, to be a doctor, lawyer, artist, musician; To have wealth, money, power, happiness, and love. Some of these are noble in their pursuits, some are ideals we can only dream of attaining and some make life worth living. In the case of Layli and Majnun their aspirations are, on the surface, for love - for each other. Their companionship, their friendship - All honourable intentions. But this is Medieval Persia and there are rules, standards that have been set long ago by God knows who. But they are there. And they are carved into the minds of their families and their families, cruelly, tear them apart. From what started as innocent young love in the school room to full-fledged longing and sighing that drafted the verses of this epic poem. From heart felt sincerity came the desire, not just for the person, but for their very soul. We have all, at one point, craved for things we cannot have. But for Layli and Majnun the love was there, they could taste it, but they were just out of reach. To know that everything you longed for, wished for is right there but you cannot touch? Well, it drove them both the deepest and darkest pits of melancholy, even to the brink of madness.
This is an epic poem, not just because of how great it is, but by the proportions of the tale that we have here. It is expansive. There is no magic embedded in this poem as many epic stories have. But this poem, this unending tale of loss from losing the one you love is based on human nature. The cruelty of man and the kindness of nature is the spell that is cast. Majnun is that hero who has proved himself a hundred times over that he is worthy of Layli. That he loves here. He was a man who would sing songs of her in the streets, sing about her beauty, her loveliness, her virtues for all to hear (much to the horror of Layli’s family). So, when Majnun’s father goes to ask Layli’s father for her hand in marriage (yes thatv was a thing. And no, I don’t understand it either but hay this is the good ol’ days and times have moved forward… mostly) Layli’s father is an absolute monster. He is the real cause of all the distress in this epic. He refuses to give Layli to Majnun even though they both love each other dearly. He does not deem him worthy and prefers a suitor who is wealthy so Majunu disappears into the wilderness.
Historically there are countless men who have fought, killed and died for the sake of love. There have even been those who have brought entire kingdoms to their knees, think Helen of Troy/ Sparta (depends on who’s side you’re on) the face that launched a thousand ships. Or even Yang Guifei in 8th Century China who caused a revolution and nearly the end of the Tang dynasty. Now, Majnun may not be as suave. But he is no less passionate. He, with the help of a wealthy Sheik draws an army and attacks Layli’s tribe. He stains the sands of the battlefield with the blood of his enemies and the blood of his brothers. He ultimately wins the battle and offers huge amounts of gold in exchange for Layli’s hand. He is the victor. It is his right to demand anything he wishes. But Layli’s father will not yield Layli to a madman, one driven by love and love alone and tricks the sheik. To kill a thousand men is not honourable and therefore, the lovers are driven apart again. He may have won the battle, but lost the war.
Majnun returns to the wilderness and Layli lives in torment, trapped in a marriage she does not want to a man she does not love. She steadfastly stays true to Majnun for she spurns her husband on their wedding night… and for their whole marriage. She slowly fades away, lost in longing. When all the obstacles are finally gone, and they can reunite years later it is bitter. The love is there for sure, but in the madness of love and desire they lost themselves along the way. They do not recognise one another for their souls have become haggard and twisted and frayed beyond recognition. And so, they end their days in a wretched wasteful way.
Two lovers who were meant to be were twisted and torn apart. They lived and they loved, but the life they lived was not a full one because it was full of regret and shame. Fate was cruel to them and gave them a lifetime of sorrow and pain. A fate I would not wish upon anyone. It is not a happy tale, but there is a reason it has resounded across borders through time and space. Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet has nothing on this piece of outstanding literature, it is not even in the same league. This is not about two besotted young people, but it is about a love that endures.
There is a warning within the pages of this book not to deny love, for it is what makes life worth living, you can have all the money in the world, but without love life becomes meaningless. If you should choose to explore the pages of this masterful text, be prepared for a story unlike any other.