Aşk-ı Memnû in the Triangle of Novel, Theater, Opera

Abstract

The novel Aşk-ı Memnû was published by Halid Ziya Uşaklıgil in the magazine Servet-i Fünûn for 66 issues from February 9, 1899 to May 17, 1900. Written in the 19th century as a novel, transferred to the theater stage in the 21st century and revised as an opera in the 21st century, Aşk-ı Memnû is a rare work that has taken its place among the classics. Set during the long period of decline of the Ottoman Empire, the novel reveals the complexity of human nature, how powerful passions and desires can be, and the changes in the structure of society as the individual, caught between traditional and modern values, strives for westernization. Uşaklıgil combines the Ottoman society with the social fabric of Istanbul and the subtlety of his language and style, resulting in a unique work that ranks among the classics for its literary value.

The novel Aşk-ı Memnû has been reshaped in line with the expressive possibilities of live performance arts through theater and opera adaptations. While the art of theater, due to its structural characteristics, brings the novel›s in-depth psychological analysis and conflicts between characters to the stage through mutual dialogues, the art of opera has been able to convey the inner worlds and emotional tensions of the characters to the audience more intensely with the dramatic effect of polyphonic music.

In this article, after examining the structural characteristics of the novel Aşk-ı Memnû, the transformations that the novel underwent during its adaptation to theater and opera will be discussed. The similarities and differences between the novel, theater and opera will be analyzed comparatively; scenes that are common to all three genres will be particularly emphasized. In addition, the new scenes included in the adaptations, independent of the novel text, will be discussed and the reasons for their inclusion will be discussed.

Citation: Öztürk, Tufan (2025). “Aşk-ı Memnû in the Triangle of Novel, Theater, Opera”, Erdem, December, Issue:89, pp. 209-236