The shadow archetype in Saadi Park: with emphasis on the illustrated version of Saadi Park preserved in the Chester Beatty Museum in London

Abstract

Archetypes, which are the same ancient images and ancient human experiences that, as a legacy of the past, are present in the psyche of each person, constitute the contents of the collective unconscious, is one of Jung's most important findings. One of these archetypes is the shadow, which has a great effect on individuality and mental development. It is the dark side of our being and the negative traits that we deny in ourselves. And only by recognizing and accepting it have we taken the first step towards individuality. Literature is one of the unconscious realms that shows the hidden layers of the creator of the work. A trace of these mythological forms and some of Jung's theories of psychology can be seen in Saadi's works. The main issue in this paper is the compatibility of Saadi's performance with Jung's theories of dealing with the shadow. We intend to use an analytical and descriptive method to explain the archetype of the shadow and examine it in anecdotes from the garden and show that Saadi before Jung with his unique language and expressions has referred to this dark side of the mind. And the solution he offers in dealing with the shadow is consistent with Jung's method of psychotherapy, as if Saadi's words were a fountain for Jung's thoughts.

Keywords

• saadi
• jung
• the collective unconscious
• the shadow