Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Department of Arabic Language and Literature, University of Kashan

2 PhD Candidate in Arabic Language and Literature, University of Kashan

Abstract

One of the main features of contemporary Arabic poetry is its use of mythology to express social concepts and depict socio-political heterogeneity. Greek mythology is one of the best vehicles for this purpose; that is why it is frequently used by contemporary poets. One of such myths is Ulysses which holds a prominent status among outstanding contemporary Arab poets. Samih al-Qasim (1939-2014), the contemporary Palestinian poet, and Adonis (1930- ), the contemporary Syrian poet, are among them. In light of the attention of the above-mentioned poets given to Ulysses and its central role in conveying desired concepts, this paper aims to study their reading of Ulysses; first, Samih al-Qasim’s, and then, Adonis’ are separately analyzed and compared to Ulysses with its ancient aspect, and then their approach toward the original Greek myth is evaluated. In conclusion, while paying attention to the original myth, the reading of the above-mentioned poets of the myth will be compared to each other. The importance of such research lies in its discovery of the main concerns of these poets which consequently leads to a more accurate and more appropriate understanding of contemporary Arabic poetry. By comparing and analyzing the text of these poems, it can be argued that both poets, under the influence of the Greek myth and inspired by its mythological narrative, turn toward mythologization. Through defamiliarization and introducing novel experiences to the narrative, they depict the heterogeneous status of their individual and social lives in a literary style and offer it to the reader. The most important topics discussed by the two poets include an endeavor to achieve a lost identity, offering loyalty to contemporary Penelope, a hope for resurrection, and finally an emphasis on the need for change and evolution in the Arab society.

Keywords

Abazari, Y. A., & Khorshid Nam, A. (2011). Myth of Mythology. Sociological Studies, 18(39), 197-221. [In Persian].
Abbas, E. (1978). Approaches to Contemporary Arabic Poetry (2nd ed.). Kuwait: The World of Knowledge. [In Arabic].
Abed, I. (2008). Adonis, the Forerunner of Arabic Poems. Damascus: Public Trust Festival. [In Arabic].
Abu Ali, R. (2009). Myth in the Poetry of Adonis. Damascus: Dar al-Takwin. [In Arabic].
Adonis (1996). Songs of Mahyar Damascus. Damascus: Dar al-Maddi for Culture and Publishing. [In Arabic].
Alavi, S. (2010). Mythical Intertextuality in the Poetry of Samih al-Qasim. Faculty of Literature and Languages, Qalmeh University, Algeria. [In Arabic].
Awadpour, B., Mohammadi Khabazan, Saina, & Mohammadi Khabazan, Sahand (1397). Psycho-Mythology, Culture of Mythical Psychopaths. Tehran: Sokhan. [In Persian].
Bern, L. et al (2005). The World of Myths. (A. Mokhber, Trans.) Tehran: Markaz Publishing. [In Persian].
Bertens, H. (2012). Fundamentals of Literary Theory (3rd ed.).  (M. Abolghasemi, Trans.) Tehran: Mahi Publishing. [In Persian].
Dehghan Zad, R., & Mirzaei Tabar, A. (2013). Analysis of the Function of Greek Myths in the Poems of Abdul Aziz Maqaleh. Arabic Literature, 2(5), 23-46. [In Persian].
Halawi, Y. (1992). Myth in Arabic Poetry. Beirut: Dar al-Hadathah. [In Arabic].
Hassani, A. Y. (1996). The Aesthetics of the Image of Fire in Contemporary Poetry. Beirut: Dar al-Alam wa al-Iman. [In Arabic].
Homer (1974). Odyssey (2nd ed.). (A. Salamah, Trans.) Beirut: Dar al-Fikr al-Arabi. [In Arabic].
Ismail, I. (2014). A Study of the Artistic-Semantic Aspects of Contemporary Arabic Poetry. (S. H. Seyyedi, Trans.) Mashhad: Taraneh Publications. [In Persian].
Jeddah, A. H. (1980). New Approaches in Contemporary Arabic Poetry. Beirut: Nofel Institute. [In Arabic].
John B., N. (1991). Comprehensive History of Religions. (A. Hekmat, Trans.) Tehran: Cultural Revolution Publishing and Education Organization. [In Persian].
Kennedy, M. D. (2006). Encyclopedia of Greek and Roman Mythology. (R. Behzadi, Trans.) Tehran: Tahoori. [In Persian].
Musa, I. N. (2010). Holy Poetry in Palestinian Poetry. Oman: Drub. [In Arabic].
Musa, K. (2003). The Structure of Contemporary Arabic Ode. Damascus: Ittihad al-Kitab al-Arab. [In Arabic].
Najafi Ivaki, A., & Hassanpour M. (2012). Recreating the Myth of Ulysses in Contemporary Arabic Poetry. Quarterly Journal of Critique and Comparative Literature, 2(5), 115-141. [In Persian].
Al-Qasim, S. (1987). Diwan. Beirut: Dar al-Awda. [In Arabic].
Rosenberg, D. (2000). World Myths, Stories and Epics. Tehran: Myths. [In Persian].
Sanehpour, M. (2012). Greek Mythology from a Historical Perspective. Wisdom and Philosophy, 31(8), 41-54. [In Persian].
Thomas, B. (1966). The Age of Myths. (R. al-Sisi, Trans.) Cairo: The Arab Spring. [In Persian].
Vaheddoost, M. (2002). Scientific Approach to Mythology. Tehran: Soroush. [In Persian].
Zidane, R. (2009). The Influence of Leftist Thought on Palestinian Poetry. Haifa: Dar al-Huda. [In Arabic].