The Image in The Poetry of Ibn al-Mu'tazz With Special Reference to Metaphor and Simile

360 Pages·2017·10.35 MB·English

The Image in The Poetry of Ibn al-Mu'tazz
(247-96/ 861-908)
With Special Reference to Metaphor and Simile
BY
MOHAMMAD NASSER RASHID AL-MAHROUQI
School of Oriental and African Studies
University of London
2004
ProQuest Number: 10731465
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ABSTRACT
This thesis investigates the imagery of one of the most important
poets of the 'Abbasid age, 'Abd Allah Ibn al-Mu'tazz (247-96/861-908)
Ibn al-Mu'tazz shows great interest in external attributes,
especially shape, colour and speed. His fondness for describing
external attributes is the characteristic feature which has led to
his reputation as the pioneer of the HissI (sensory or sensuous) type
of poetic imagery, in contrast with Abu Tammam, who was considered
the pioneer of dhihnl (intellectual) poetry. It is also this fondness
for external description that generates one of the most significant
features of his poetry; the lack of harmony, indeed the outright
contradiction at times, between two different functions of imagery,
the semantic and the psychological. In Ibn al-Mu'tazz's poetry both
positive and negative aspects of meaning often coexist in the very
same image. This study seeks to place Ibn al-Mu'tazz's conception of
imagery in the context of his life-experience and interests.
Ibn al-Mu'tazz has traditionally been seen as a wealthy prince whose
poetry reflects a life of luxury. This study, however, develops a
different understanding and argues that the poet experienced an
extremely difficult and turbulent life, right from the early days of
his childhood: both his grandfather and, later, his father were
assassinated following which he was sent into exile in frightening
circumstances; he himself was Caliph for 24 hours, and he suffered
real misfortune and adversity throughout his life. This thesis will
argue that the lack of harmony found in Ibn al-Mu'tazz's poetry is
indicative of the fragmentation in the poet's own life and reflects
his bitter life-experiences.
The two major aspects of imagery this study explores are the nature
of Ibn al-Mu'tazz's images and the sources from which they are
derived. Special attention is paid to simile and metaphor as they are
possibly the most important figures of poetic speech, particularly in
the age of classical Arabic literature. This poet's frequent use of
particular images reveals important information about his interests.
He shows great admiration for the palm tree - its trunk, fronds and
spandex. Other topics, such as the moon, Pleiades, wine, wine froth,
wineskin, hunting dogs, horses and flowers, especially the narcissus,
are also favoured topics in his poetry. For the purpose of this
thesis, five main sources of Ibn al-Mu'tazz's imagery have been
identified and investigated: the human being, daily life, nature,
animals and culture.
In studying the nature of Ibn al-Mu'tazz's imagery, the work of
classical Arab rhetoricians and critics, as well as modern views, are
utilised. In the study of sources, the approach developed by Caroline
Spurgeon has been adopted, and has proved to be of enormous value.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
My first and foremost expression of gratitude must go to Professor Kamal
Abu-Deeb for his excellent supervision and generosity of spirit towards me in
every aspect during my doctoral studies. His exacting academic precision and
unfailing guidance have illumined the path this researcher has chosen to
travel in his work on poetic imagery. I am also grateful to Dr. Stephan Sperl,
Dr. Wen-Chin Ouyang, Dr. 'Abd Allah al-'Udhari and Mr. Clive Smith for their
help and support during different stages of writing this thesis. In addition, my
friends Riham Abu-Deeb, Muhammad al-Habsi, Muhammad 'Abd al-Ghaffar
and Fadl al-Maqhafi deserve heartfelt thanks. This work would also have been
impossible without the great understanding and unlimited support I received
from my beloved family, especially my mother Gh. al-Mahruq?, my wife Th. al-
Habsi, and my sister and brother Sh. and Ahimed al-Mahruqi. Finally, a special
expression of thanks goes to Sultan Qaboos University for giving a scholarship
to this researcher.
For my eight year old daughter, Maisson,
a promising reader
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KEY NOTES
There are several critical editions of Ibn al-Mu'tazz's DJwan, as can be
seen in the bibliography. The value of these editions varies as most of
them do not represent the whole body of Ibn al-Mu'tazz's poetry. The
edition edited by Y. al-Samira'I (Ibn ai-Mu'tazz, 'A, Shi'r Ibn al-Mu'tazz;
Parti, theDJwan, §an’afMuhammad b. Yahya al-§ull, Ed. Y. al-Samira'I
(Baghdad: 1977, v. I and v. II, but v. Ill in 1978) is the most
comprehensive one. Thus, all subsequent references to the DJwan will
be to this edition.
Unless otherwise stated, the author of this thesis is responsible for all
translations herein.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
List of Tables....................................................................................12
PART 1: Introduction & Literature Review
Introduction
1- General Introduction.....................................................................14
2- Definitions............................................................ 19
Chapter Two: Literature Review
1- Studies of Poetic Imagery ...................................................24
2- Previous Studies on Ibn al-Mu'tazz's Work...............................35
2-1- 'Abd al-Qahir al-Jurjam (1954)........................... ,.36
2-2- Husain (1948)............................................................................47
2-3- Sayyid al-Ahl (1951)...................................................................51
2-4- Al-Kafrawi(1967)........................................ 53
2-5- Al-Shak'a (1973)........................................................................56
2-6- Shalab? (19981)..........................................................................58
2-7- AI-Tat;awT (1981)........................................................................62
2-8- Al-Mu§t;afa (1991)............................................ 66
3- Conclusion.......................................................................................68
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PART 2: Investigation of the Sources of Ibn al-Mu'tazz's
Imagery
Chapter Three: The Human Being
1-Types of People................................................................................71
1-1- The Feminine.............................................................................71
1-2- Occupations................................................................................87
2- Actions and Conditions................................................... 91
2-1- Autonomic Actions,....................... 91
2-2- The Power of Speech.................................................................94
2-3- Power Actions.............. 95
2-4- Lovers and Sexuality..................................................... 100
2-5- Conditions......................................... 102
2-6- Sickness................................................................................... 105
3- Bodily Organs................................................................................107
4- Conclusion..................... 114
Chapter Four: Daily Life and Other Sources
1- Daily life.......................................................................................117
1-1- Clothing and Cosmetics............................................................117
1-1-1- Clothing................. 118
1-1-2- Jewels and Objects of Value............................................122
1-1-3- Cosmetics and Personal Grooming.........................130
1-2- Accommodation......................................... 133
1-2-1- Housing...........................................................................133
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1-2-2- Household Equipment......................................................136
1-3- Food and Drink........................................................................141
1-4- Equipment of War and Handcrafts...........................................144
1-4-1- Equipment of War ..............................................144
1-4-2- Handcrafts.......................................................................150
2- Nature............................................................................................152
2-1- The Sun and Stars....................................................................152
2-2- Fire...........................................................................................156
2-3- Plants ............................................................................160
2-4- Water and Land........................................................................164
3- Animals...........................................................................................168
3-1- Wild Animals.............................................................................170
3-1-1- Snakes .......... 171
3-2- Domesticated Animals..............................................................172
3-3- Birds and Insects......................................................................174
4- Culture............................................................................................178
4-1- Religious and General Culture..................................................178
4-2- The Fine Arts............................................................................181
5- Conclusion.....................................................................................184
PART 3: Some Aspects of the Nature of Ibn
al-Mu'tazz's Imagery
Chapter Five: The Hissf Aspect of Poetic Imagery
1- Previous Studies on The Nature of Poetic Imagery................188
2- ///55/and Dhihni: Two types of Poetic Imagery.......................196
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