Laila Majnun in English: A Modern Adaptation of the Ancient Romance
Laila Majnun: A Tragic Love Story in English
Introduction
Have you ever heard of Laila Majnun? It is one of the most famous and beloved stories of love and passion in the world. It tells the tale of two star-crossed lovers who are separated by fate, family, and society, and who sacrifice everything for their devotion to each other. It is a story that has inspired poets, artists, musicians, and filmmakers for centuries, and that has touched the hearts of millions of people across different cultures and languages.
naskah dialog drama laila majnun dalam bahasa inggris
What is Laila Majnun?
Laila Majnun is a classic Arabic story that originated in the 7th century. The word "Majnun" means "madman" in Arabic, and it is the nickname given to Qays ibn al-Mulawwah, a young poet who falls madly in love with Laila bint Mahdi, a beautiful girl from his tribe. Their love is so intense that it drives Qays to madness, and he wanders the desert reciting poetry about his beloved. Laila, meanwhile, is forced to marry another man by her father, who disapproves of Qays' obsession. The lovers never reunite in life, but they are buried together after their deaths.
Who are the main characters?
The main characters of Laila Majnun are:
Qays ibn al-Mulawwah (Majnun): The protagonist and narrator of the story. He is a young poet from the Banu Amir tribe who falls in love with Laila at first sight. He expresses his love through poetry, but he is rejected by Laila's father and ridiculed by his peers. He becomes insane with grief and wanders the desert, living among wild animals and writing verses on rocks and trees.
Laila bint Mahdi: The heroine and object of Majnun's love. She is a beautiful girl from the same tribe as Majnun, who shares his feelings but is unable to defy her father's wishes. She marries Ibn Salam, a wealthy merchant, but she remains faithful to Majnun in her heart. She dies of a broken heart after hearing of Majnun's death.
Ibn Salam: Laila's husband and Majnun's rival. He is a rich and powerful man who marries Laila for her beauty and status. He tries to win her love by showering her with gifts and luxuries, but he fails to understand her true feelings. He becomes jealous and suspicious of Majnun, and he hires assassins to kill him.
Nuwas: Majnun's loyal friend and companion. He is a poet and a singer who admires Majnun's poetry and supports his love for Laila. He visits Majnun in the desert and brings him news of Laila. He also tries to persuade Laila's father to let her marry Majnun, but he fails.
Zayd: Laila's faithful maid and confidante. She is a wise and compassionate woman who knows Laila's secret love for Majnun. She helps Laila communicate with Majnun through letters and messages. She also comforts Laila in her sorrow and accompanies her to her grave.
What is the plot summary?
The plot summary of Laila Majnun is as follows:
Majnun falls in love with Laila at school and writes poems about her.
Laila's father rejects Majnun's proposal and arranges her marriage with Ibn Salam.
Majnun becomes mad with grief and leaves his home to live in the desert.
Nuwas visits Majnun in the desert and brings him news of Laila.
Laila sends letters and messages to Majnun through Zayd.
Ibn Salam becomes jealous of Majnun and hires assassins to kill him.
Majnun escapes death several times with the help of wild animals.
Laila dies of a broken heart after hearing of Majnun's death.
Majnun dies near Laila's grave after reciting his final poem.
The lovers are buried together by Nuwas and Zayd.
The Origin and History of Laila Majnun
Where did the story come from?
The story of Laila Majnun is based on a real historical event that took place in Arabia in the 7th century. The original source of the story is a collection of poems attributed to Qays ibn al-Mulawwah, who was also known as Majnun Layla (the madman of Layla). These poems were later compiled into a narrative by various writers, such as Ibn Qutaybah (9th century), al-Waqidi (9th century), al-Isfahani (10th century), al-Nadim (10th century), al-Tha'alibi (11th century), al-Bakri (11th century), Ibn Hazm (11th century), al-Suhayli (12th century), al-Nawawi (13th century), Ibn Kathir (14th century), al-Mas'udi (15th century), al-Suyuti (15th century), al-Qalqashandi (15th century), al-Makrizi (15th century), al-Safadi (16th century), al-Dimashqi (17th century), al-Shabrawi (18th century), al-Sharif al-Idrisi (19th century), Ahmad Shawqi (20th century), Taha Husayn (20th century), Nizar Qabbani (20th century), Mahmoud Darwish (20th century), Adonis (21st century), etc.
How did it spread across cultures and languages?
The story of Laila Majnun became very popular in the Islamic world, especially among the Sufis, who saw it as an allegory of mystical love between God and His devotees. The story was translated into many languages, such as Persian, Turkish, Urdu, Hindi, Bengali, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Gujarati, Marathi, Sindhi, Pashto, Balochi, Kurdish, Azerbaijani, Armenian, Georgian, Bosnian, Albanian, Serbian, Croatian, Macedonian, Bulgarian, Romanian, Hungarian, Czech, Slovak, Polish, Russian, Ukrainian, Belarusian, Lithuanian, Latvian, Estonian, Finnish, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Icelandic, Dutch, German, Yiddish, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Catalan, Galician, Basque, Occitan, Corsican, Sardinian, Sicilian, Maltese, Greek, Turkish Cypriot Arabic Cypriot Hebrew Arabic Amharic Tigrinya Somali Oromo Swahili Hausa Yoruba Igbo Zulu Xhosa Shona Ndebele Sotho Tswana Afrikaans Malagasy Comorian Seychellois Creole Mauritian Creole Reunionese Creole Maldivian Sinhalese Nepali T Here is the continuation of the article. What are some of the adaptations and variations of the story?
The story of Laila Majnun has been adapted and varied in many forms and genres, such as poetry, prose, drama, music, art, film, and television. Some of the most notable adaptations and variations are:
The Persian poet Nizami Ganjavi's Layla and Majnun (1188), which is considered the most influential and authoritative version of the story. It is written in rhyming couplets and consists of 4,600 lines. It expands the original story with more details, characters, episodes, and themes. It also introduces the mystical and allegorical aspects of the lovers' relationship.
The Persian poet Amir Khusrow Dehlavi's Majnun o Leyli (1299), which is a shorter and simpler version of Nizami's poem. It is written in a mixture of Persian and Hindavi (an early form of Hindi-Urdu) and consists of 2,800 lines. It follows Nizami's plot closely but omits some scenes and adds some dialogues.
The Turkish poet Fuzuli's Leyla ile Mecnun (1540), which is a popular and influential version of the story in Turkish literature. It is written in a mixture of Turkish and Arabic and consists of 3,622 couplets. It follows Nizami's plot but adds some original episodes and characters. It also emphasizes the social and political aspects of the lovers' situation.
The Indian poet Jami's Laila Majnun (1484), which is a famous and respected version of the story in Urdu literature. It is written in a mixture of Persian and Urdu and consists of 3,860 couplets. It follows Nizami's plot but adds some mystical and philosophical elements. It also portrays the lovers as models of piety and devotion.
The Indonesian film Layla Majnun (2021), which is a modern adaptation of the story set in Azerbaijan. It stars Acha Septriasa as Laila, an Indonesian scholar who travels to Azerbaijan for a conference, and Reza Rahadian as Qais, an Azerbaijani journalist who admires her work. The film follows their romance as they face obstacles from Laila's arranged marriage and Qais' past trauma.
The Themes and Messages of Laila Majnun
What are the main themes of the story?
The story of Laila Majnun explores various themes, such as:
Love: The story depicts the power and beauty of love, as well as its pain and suffering. It shows how love can transcend physical boundaries, social norms, and rational limits. It also shows how love can inspire creativity, courage, and sacrifice.
Madness: The story portrays the thin line between sanity and insanity, as well as the connection between madness and genius. It shows how madness can be a result of intense emotion, a form of expression, or a way of escape. It also shows how madness can be a source of wisdom, insight, and spirituality.
Spirituality: The story reflects the mystical and allegorical dimensions of love, as well as its relation to God and His creation. It shows how love can be a path to God, a reflection of His attributes, or a manifestation of His will. It also shows how love can be a test, a trial, or a blessing from God.
How does the story explore love, madness, and spirituality?
The story explores love, madness, and spirituality through various aspects, such as:
The characters: The characters represent different types and stages of love, madness, and spirituality. For example, Majnun represents passionate love, Here is the continuation of the article. divine madness, and spiritual ecstasy. Laila represents faithful love, rational sanity, and worldly duty. Ibn Salam represents worldly love, material wealth, and social power. Nuwas represents loyal friendship, poetic talent, and moral support. Zayd represents wise counsel, compassionate care, and spiritual guidance.
The poetry: The poetry represents the expression and communication of love, madness, and spirituality. It shows how poetry can convey the depth and intensity of emotion, the beauty and subtlety of language, and the richness and diversity of culture. It also shows how poetry can challenge and transcend the norms and conventions of society, logic, and religion.
The desert: The desert represents the setting and symbol of love, madness, and spirituality. It shows how the desert can be a place of isolation and hardship, as well as a place of freedom and inspiration. It also shows how the desert can be a metaphor for the inner state of the lover, who is detached from the world and attached to the beloved.
What are some of the lessons and morals of the story?
The story of Laila Majnun teaches us some lessons and morals, such as:
Love is the most powerful force in the universe, but it also comes with a high price. It can elevate us to the highest levels of joy and ecstasy, but it can also bring us to the lowest depths of sorrow and agony. It can make us do extraordinary things, but it can also make us lose ourselves.
Madness is not always a negative or harmful condition, but it can also be a positive or beneficial one. It can be a sign of weakness or illness, but it can also be a sign of strength or genius. It can be a curse or a punishment, but it can also be a blessing or a reward.
Spirituality is not only a matter of belief or practice, but it is also a matter of experience and knowledge. It is not only about following rules or rituals, but it is also about finding meaning and purpose. It is not only about worshipping God or His prophets, but it is also about loving God or His creation.
Conclusion
Why is Laila Majnun still relevant and popular today?
Laila Majnun is still relevant and popular today because it is a timeless and universal story that appeals to people of different ages, backgrounds, and cultures. It is a story that speaks to our common human emotions and aspirations, such as love, longing, passion, Here is the continuation of the article. sacrifice, courage, and creativity. It is a story that resonates with our contemporary challenges and opportunities, such as globalization, multiculturalism, and individualism. It is a story that invites us to reflect on our own values and choices, as well as on our relationships with others and with ourselves.
How can we learn from Laila Majnun's example?
We can learn from Laila Majnun's example by:
Appreciating the beauty and power of love, but also being aware of its risks and responsibilities. We should not take love for granted, but we should also not let it consume us. We should balance our love for others with our love for ourselves.
Embracing the diversity and complexity of human experience, but also seeking the common and universal aspects of human nature. We should not judge or reject others based on their differences, but we should also not ignore or deny our similarities. We should respect and celebrate our diversity, but we should also recognize and cherish our unity.
Exploring the potential and creativity of human expression, but also respecting the limits and boundaries of human communication. We should not be afraid or ashamed to express ourselves, but we should also not be arrogant or insensitive to others. We should use our words and actions to inspire and connect, but we should also listen and understand.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Laila Majnun:
QuestionAnswer
Who wrote the original story of Laila Majnun?The original story of Laila Majnun is based on a collection of poems attributed to Qays ibn al-Mulawwah, a 7th-century Arabic poet who was also known as Majnun Layla.
Who wrote the most famous version of Laila Majnun?The most famous version of Laila Majnun is written by Nizami Ganjavi, a 12th-century Persian poet who composed it as the third part of his Khamsa (Quintet).
What are some of the other names of Laila Majnun?Laila Majnun is also known as Layla and Majnun, Leyli o Majnun, Leyla ile Mecnun, Laila Majnu, etc.
What are some of the other works inspired by Laila Majnun?Laila Majnun has inspired many works in various forms and genres, such as poetry, prose, drama, music, art, film, and television. Some examples are: Amir Khusrow Dehlavi's Majnun o Leyli (1299), Jami's Laila Majnun (1484), Fuzuli's Leyla ile Mecnun (1540), Eric Clapton's song Layla (1970), Muzaffar Ali's film Laila Majnu (1976), Mark Morris's dance Layla and Majnun (2016), Monty Tiwa's film Layla Majnun (2021), etc.
What are some of the places associated with Laila Majnun?Laila Majnun is associated with many places in Arabia, Persia, Anatolia, Central Asia, and South Asia. Some examples are: Najd (the region where Qays and Laila lived), Bani Amer (the tribe to which Qays and Laila belonged), Anaza (the village where Qays was buried), Bin Qalboun (the village where Laila was buried), Nizami Mausoleum (the tomb of Nizami Ganjavi in Ganja, Azerbaijan), Baku (the capital city of Azerbaijan where Layla Majnun was filmed), etc.