An Analysis of Conceptual Metaphors of Sorrow in the Poetry of Sayyeda Makhfi Badakhshi

الملخص

This study explores the conceptual metaphors of sorrow in the poetry of Sayeda Makhfi Badakhshi within the framework of Lakoff and Johnson’s Conceptual Metaphor Theory. Drawing on a descriptive–analytical method, selected poems were examined to identify the dominant source domains through which sorrow is conceptualized. The analysis reveals that sorrow is primarily represented as burden, illness, prison, and darkness. These metaphorical mappings function not only as linguistic devices but also as cognitive structures that shape the poet’s understanding and expression of emotional experience. Furthermore, the metaphors reflect broader personal, social, and cultural dimensions embedded in the poet’s worldview. The findings suggest that conceptual metaphors play a central role in deepening semantic layers and enhancing the emotional intensity of the poems. Overall, the study demonstrates that metaphor serves as a fundamental mechanism for rendering abstract emotional experience tangible and meaningful in Badakhshi’s poetry.