THE RELATION BETWEEN THE POET AND PATRONAGE THROUGH THE LENS OF TAŞLICALI YAHYA BEY’S ELEGY

This article discusses the various forms of literary patronage and focuses on the patrimonial foundation of literature in the Ottoman Empire. The main aim of this study is to address the question of to what extent the Ottoman poets were independent in producing their literary pieces. As a case study, Taşlıcalı Yahya’ Bey’s elegy is the focal point for understanding the role of patronage in gaining access to the literary circles around the sultan and bureaucrats. It will also address the question of whether there was a disadvantage, in terms of the quality of work, to being a part of literary patronage.