Abstract
The Virtuous Human Model in the National Anthem
The National Anthem of Independence is one of the most widely read texts in the world over the last century, and its status as the national anthem of the Republic of Türkiye plays a significant role in this widespread recognition. However, this anthem is not merely a poem to be recited on specific occasions. With its profound and rich meanings, it speaks not only to the era in which it was written but also to the present and the future. Therefore, it is essential to analyze the text from various perspectives and to keep its messages constantly alive in the public consciousness. Accordingly, numerous studies have been conducted and continue to be carried out. This study aims to contribute to these works by identifying the model of humanity that Mehmet Âkif points to in the National Anthem. It seeks to interpret the poet’s worldview and his perspective on the periods in which the poem was composed, and, based on these, to read the lifestyle and character structure he proposes through the text. In this context, the human model and lifestyle presented by Mehmet Âkif in the poem are evaluated within the framework of the concept of virtue, and the qualities of the exemplary hero offered to the reader are determined.
Keywords
Mehmet Âkif Ersoy, National Anthem, Independence March, Virtue, Identity Construction.