The Image in the Poetry of Ibn Al-Mu'tazz with Special Reference to Metaphor and Simile
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
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 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a com plete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. uest ProQuest 10731465 Published by ProQuest LLC(2017). Copyright of the Dissertation is held by the Author. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States C ode Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106- 1346 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. 2 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 4 ✓ OP q JJJ f c y j V.^J5 $ p p 0 Op / Jl fl 0 q A \J J ) j \J% % 5 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. I ll 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 7 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 8 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