Existential interpretation of fairy tale and legend motives in Matnazar Abdulhakim’s poetry

Abstract

This article analyzes the artistic-aesthetic and existential interpretation of fairy tale and legend motifs in the poetry of Matnazar Abdulhakim, one of the brightest representatives of modern Uzbek poetry. The study highlights the role of national folklore sources, mythological images, and traditional fairy tale plots in the poet’s work in expressing existential problems such as human existence, life and death, choice, freedom, loneliness, and spiritual search. It also analyzes the symbolic and philosophical function of the elements of fairy tales and legends, their harmony with the inner experiences of the lyrical hero, and their transformation in modern poetic thinking.