THE SYMBOLIC AND ARTISTIC FEATURES OF THE "EYE" IN CLASSICAL UZBEK AND ENGLISH POETRY

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MODERN DEVELOPMENT OF PEDAGOGY AND LINGUISTICS Volume 02, Issue 09, 2025 58 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MODERN DEVELOPMENT OF PEDAGOGY AND LINGUISTICS universalconference.us THE SYMBOLIC AND ARTISTIC FEATURES OF THE “EYE” IN CLASSICAL UZBEK AND ENGLISH POETRY Rohila Khidirboeva Saparboy qizi The Teacher of Department of Integrated English Language N3 at Uzbekistan State World Languages University [email protected] +998 97 089 09 91 Annotation This article explores the symbolic and artistic importance of the "eye" in classical Uzbek and English poetry. The eye motif stands out as one of the most potent poetic images, symbolizing love, spiritual perception, and aesthetic beauty. Through an analysis of selected works by Alisher Navoi, Babur, Mashrab, and Ogahiy, in conjunction with those of William Shakespeare, John Donne, and Geoffrey Chaucer, the study uncovers both the universal and culturally unique dimensions of this symbol. The article highlights how the eye serves not just as a physical element but also as a philosophical and spiritual metaphor. Keywords: symbolism, classical poetry, eye, Navoi, Shakespeare, Sufism, metaphor Аннотация: В данной статье рассматривается символическое и художественное значение образа «глаза» в классической узбекской и английской поэзии. Мотив глаза является одним из наиболее сильных поэтических образов, символизирующих любовь, духовное прозрение и эстетическую красоту. Анализируются произведения Алишера Навои, Бабура, Машраба и Огахий, а также Уильяма Шекспира, Джона Донна и Джеффри Чосера. Исследование показывает как универсальные, так и культурно-специфические аспекты данного символа. Ключевые слова: символика, классическая поэзия, глаз, Навои, Шекспир, суфизм, метафора INTRODUCTION Symbols are one of the most vital artistic tools in poetry. The human eye, serving as a universal symbol, has been deeply interpreted across various literary traditions. In classical Uzbek poetry, the eye signifies beauty, passion, spiritual insight, and mystical revelation, whereas in English poetry, it acts as a conduit for love, truth, and the reflection of the soul. This article offers a comparative analysis of the "eye" motif in the works of notable Uzbek poets like Navoi, Babur, Mashrab, and Ogahiy, alongside English luminaries such as Shakespeare, Donne, and Chaucer. INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MODERN DEVELOPMENT OF PEDAGOGY AND LINGUISTICS Volume 02, Issue 09, 2025 59 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MODERN DEVELOPMENT OF PEDAGOGY AND LINGUISTICS universalconference.us Main Body 1. The eye in classical Uzbek poetry Uzbek classical poets frequently utilized the imagery of the eye in lyrical and mystical settings. For Navoi, the eyes of the beloved represented beauty and served as a source of both happiness and suffering: “Ko‘zingni jodu qilib, oshiqni band aylading” (Navoi, Xazoyin ul-maoniy). In this context, the beloved's gaze represents the enchanting force of love. As a Sufi poet, Mashrab transcended the eye's mere physical role, viewing it instead as a means of inner perception: “Ko‘z ochgil, ko‘r, bu dunyo sir emas, haqiqatdir” (Mashrab, Devon). Consequently, the eye serves as a portal to divine truth. In Babur and Ogahiy, the eye mirrors sorrow and yearning, frequently conveyed through tears: “Ko‘zimning yoshi oqar, dardimni so‘zlamay” (Babur, Devon). The eye serves a complex aesthetic purpose: it simultaneously represents love, desire, mysticism, and beauty. 2. The eye in classical English poetry In English poetry, the eye holds equal importance. Shakespeare, in Sonnet 132, explicitly connects the beloved's eyes to the emotional destiny of the lover: “Thine eyes I love, and they, as pitying me…” In his metaphysical poetry, John Donne employs the eye as a conduit for spirituality: “Our eye-beams twisted, and did thread / Our eyes upon one double string” (The Ecstasy). In this context, love goes beyond the physical realm and evolves into a spiritual connection. Chaucer frequently employs the gaze in The Canterbury Tales to uncover inner morality, transforming the eye into a reflection of the soul. 3. Comparative analysis Despite the differences in cultural backgrounds between Uzbek and English traditions, the symbolic significance of the eye reveals notable similarities. Both literary traditions view the eye as: • a representation of beauty (Navoi ↔ Shakespeare), • a channel for spiritual insight (Mashrab ↔ Donne), • a reflection of inner truth and emotion (Babur, Ogahiy ↔ Chaucer). However, the cultural nuances diverge: in Uzbek poetry, the Sufi tradition elevates the eye as a metaphysical instrument for divine understanding, whereas in English poetry, it frequently embodies Renaissance humanism, associating the eye with personal love and individuality. Conclusion INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MODERN DEVELOPMENT OF PEDAGOGY AND LINGUISTICS Volume 02, Issue 09, 2025 60 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MODERN DEVELOPMENT OF PEDAGOGY AND LINGUISTICS universalconference.us The theme of the eye in classical Uzbek and English poetry illustrates the universality of human artistic creativity. Both cultures use the eye as a complex symbol that encompasses love, suffering, spirituality, and aesthetic allure. However, while Uzbek poets, who are profoundly influenced by Sufism, present the eye as a mystical route to divine truth, English poets usually focus on its significance in human connections and emotional genuineness. This comparative viewpoint enhances our comprehension of literary symbolism and demonstrates how one single image can bring together different cultures through common human experiences. References 1. Navoi, A. Xazoyin ul-maoniy. Toshkent: G‘afur G‘ulom, 1987. 2. Bobur, Z. Devon. Toshkent: Fan, 2008. 3. Mashrab, B. Devon. Toshkent: Fan, 1990. 4. Ogahiy, M. Devon. Xiva: Ichan-Qal’a, 2006. 5. Erkinov, A. Tasavvuf va mumtoz adabiyot ramzlari. Toshkent: Ma’naviyat, 2015. 6. Qosimov, B. Mumtoz adabiyotimiz timsollar olami. Toshkent: Fan, 2004. 7. Shakespeare, W. Sonnets. London: Penguin Classics, 2002. 8. Donne, J. The Complete English Poems. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008. 9. Chaucer, G. The Canterbury Tales. London: Everyman, 1996. 10. Abrams, M.H. A Glossary of Literary Terms. Boston: Wadsworth, 2012. 11. Frye, N. Anatomy of Criticism. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2000. 12. Baldick, C. The Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms. Oxford: OUP, 2015.