THE EPIC SEMANTICS OF THE TRIAL MOTIF IN THE “BOY OF DELI DUMRUL, SON OF DUXA QOCA”

Abstract

The article examines the artistic and semantic essence of the trial motif within the context of “The Tale of Deli Dumrul, Son of Duxa Qoca,” one of the key narratives of the Book of Dede Qorqud. The study analyzes the notion of trial in the collective mindset through Deli Dumrul’s stance toward life, death, and sacrifice, as well as his spiritual transformation and the theme of female self-sacrifice. It also explores the relationship between human will and divine power, the dialogue between man and God, and the spiritual victory ultimately achieved. For the first time, the trial motif in this tale is systematically analyzed in light of mythological and moral transfor-mation, highlighting the character’s development, the socio-philosophical value of female sacrifice within the epic text, and the poetic and ideological dimensions of divine-human dialogue. The study further emphasizes the theocentric worldview presented in the tale, the role of the Divine in shaping human destiny, and how this perspective influences the epic consciousness.