Representations of Muslim Culture in Western Literature

In this class, Asad Wasti presents a quick survey of the works of various Western literary icons, in an attempt to demonstrate a direct influence on their writings from the Muslim world. We will examine the correlation between Dante’s Comedia and the Isra & Mai’raj tales from the 13th century, as well as later representation of Muslim rulers and conquerors by Marlowe and Shakespeare, culminating with Jonathan Swift, Washington Irving and Edgar Allan’s Poe’s treatment of a distinctly Qur’anic folklore.