Hekim Sinan (Şeyhî): Physician, Poet, and Master of Early Ottoman Literature

Introduction

Hekim Sinan, widely known by his pen name Şeyhî, is one of the foundational figures of early Ottoman Divan literature. Active during the late 14th and early 15th centuries, he is celebrated both as a renowned physician (hekim) and a distinguished poet, particularly famous for his mesnevi Harname. Often regarded as a bridge between the Anatolian Seljuk literary tradition and the classical Ottoman style, Şeyhî occupies a central place in the formation of Ottoman poetic identity.

Early Life and Education

Although the exact date of Şeyhî’s birth remains uncertain, historical sources place his origins around Kütahya, one of the thriving cultural centers of the early Ottoman period. He received an extensive education in:

• medicine,
  
  

• philosophy,
  
  

• astronomy,
  
  

• Islamic sciences, and
  
  

• Persian literature,
  
  

reflecting the multi-disciplinary intellectual environment of the era.

His knowledge of medicine earned him the title Hekim Sinan, while his religious and literary mentorship gave rise to the name Şeyhî, meaning “the learned sheikh.”

Career as a Physician

Şeyhî served as a court physician to Sultan Mehmed I (Çelebi Mehmet) and later Sultan Murad II. His reputation in medical science was well-known; Ottoman records and biographical dictionaries describe him as one of the most skilled healers of the period.

His medical career also influenced his poetry. Many of his metaphors and descriptions reflect the scientific and philosophical thinking of a cultured physician-poet.

Literary Significance

Şeyhî is considered the pioneer of classical Ottoman Divan poetry, helping shape its aesthetic norms centuries before the height of the tradition under poets like Bâkî and Fuzûlî.

Influences

He was deeply influenced by:

• Persian masters, especially Hafiz and Nizami,
  
  

• the Anatolian mystical tradition, and
  
  

• the emerging Ottoman court culture.
  
  

Language

Şeyhî used a refined Ottoman Turkish, blending Persian stylistic elegance with a uniquely local voice. His poetry marks one of the earliest mature examples of this synthesis.

Major Works

1. Harname (The Book of the Donkey)

Şeyhî’s best-known work, Harname, is a satirical mesnevi of around 100 couplets. It tells the story of a poor and humble donkey who dreams of becoming a powerful ox. The work uses humorous allegory to critique:

• social inequality,
  
  

• political favoritism,
  
  

• the struggles of scholars and bureaucrats, and
  
  

• the nature of ambition and injustice.
  
  

Because of its lively satire, Harname remains one of the most accessible and popular early Ottoman literary texts.

2. Hüsrev ü Şirin

Şeyhî also created his own version of the Persian romantic epic “Khusraw and Shirin.” His adaptation is considered one of the earliest major examples of the romantic mesnevi in Ottoman Turkish and influenced later poets who produced similar works.

3. Divan (Collected Poems)

While not fully preserved, Şeyhî’s poems reflect:

• mystical themes,
  
  

• refined love poetry,
  
  

• philosophical ideas, and
  
  

• courtly culture.
  
  

His ghazals show early examples of the classical aşk (love) and tasavvuf (mysticism) motifs that later define Ottoman poetry.

Personality and Legacy

Historical sources describe Şeyhî as:

• modest,
  
  

• intellectually curious,
  
  

• deeply spiritual, and
  
  

• respected by both scholars and rulers.
  
  

His legacy is multifaceted:

• As a poet, he laid the groundwork for classical Ottoman Divan literature.
  
  

• As a physician, he represented the scientific and humanistic spirit of early Ottoman intellectual life.
  
  

• As a satirist, he introduced one of the most memorable and socially critical works of early Anatolian literature.
  
  

Today, he remains a key figure studied by:

• historians of Ottoman culture,
  
  

• students of medieval Islamic literature, and
  
  

• scholars of Turkish language development.
  
  

Conclusion

Hekim Sinan, or Şeyhî, occupies a crucial place in the development of Ottoman literature and intellectual culture. His mastery of poetry, his contributions to medicine, and his skillful blending of satire, mysticism, and lyrical beauty make him a foundational figure whose influence stretches through centuries of Turkish literary history.

Through works like Harname and Hüsrev ü Şirin, Şeyhî not only shaped the early direction of Ottoman Divan poetry but also offered a timeless commentary on human nature, society, and the struggles of intellectual life.