https://doi.org/10.67147/literariness.v1i4.091
Ottoman Odyssey: Exploring Identity, Culture and Belonging in The Magnificent Century
SABITHA M.M
Assistant Professor
PG & Research Department of English
MES Asmabi College, P. Vemballur
(Affiliated to the University of Calicut)
&
Research Scholar, Sree Kerala Varma College, Thrissur
(Affiliated to the University of Calicut)
DR. AMEERA V U
Assistant Professor & Head
Department of English, MES Ponnani College, Ponnani
(Affiliated to the University of Calicut)
&
Research Guide, Sree Kerala Varma College, Thrissur
(Affiliated to the University of Calicut)
Abstract: The Magnificent Century (Muhtesem Yuzyil) was a popular Turkish historical drama television series that aired from 2011 to 2014. The series is set in the 16th century during the peak of the Ottoman Empire. The series follows the reign of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, the longest-reigning Sultan of the Ottoman Empire and his wife, Hurrem Sultan, the first Haseki Sultan of the Empire. The show brings to life their personal relationships, power struggles, and the political intrigue of the imperial court. This research paper analyses the show’s narrative strategies, characters, and cultural representation to explore identity, culture, and belonging within the Ottoman Empire. It argues that the series offers a revisionist view of history, challenging traditional accounts of the Ottoman Empire. It also examines the portrayal of historical figures, events, and cultural practices, considering their influence on Ottoman historiography and cultural memory. The study highlights the significance of The Magnificent Century as a cultural text that reinterprets Ottoman history and offers a fresh perspective on the past.
Keywords: Historical Drama, Ottoman History, Turkish Identity, Cultural Representation, Narrative Strategies
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