Manifestations of Symbolism in Ancient Arabic Poetry Through the Poetry of Abu Mansur al-Tha'alibi (d. 429 AH)

Abstract

The research aimed to demonstrate the manifestations of symbolism in ancient Arabic poetry through the poetry of Abu Mansour Al-Tha'alibi, as the poet relies on symbolism through allusion and insinuation, and brings it to a specific intended meaning that the listener understands from the context of the verses. The symbol was linked to the listener's ability to interpret and realize the poet's intended goal. It was known by the ancients and developed by the pioneers of modern poetry. We chose to focus on the symbols: historical, religious, natural, and emotional, which were manifested in Al-Tha'alibi's poems. The historical symbol was linked to Al-Tha'alibi with praise as a basic poetic purpose that organized this type of symbolism; as the poet linked the praised with historical figures, and other descriptions that befit the praised in this context. The religious symbol was related to the poet's desire to give the addressee awe associated with religion, so the religious symbols arranged with the prophets were multiple. The natural symbol, for the poet, expressed the psychological state associated with him or others. The emotional symbol in Al-Tha'alibi's poetry was linked to the position of love; As emotion prevails in it, and the lover's longing for his beloved intensifies, and thus, we notice Al-Tha'alibi's focus on the symbol (the young man - the gazelle) in the context of flirting with concubines and young boys as a phenomenon that was widespread in his era.