Arab poets’ perspectives on the arts Until the end of the 5th / 11th Century A thematic and rhetorical analytical approach

Abstract

This study investigates the perspectives of Arab poets on three kinds of arts: poetry, music and singing, and painting and sculpture from the Pre-Islamic era until the end of the 5th / 11th century. This issue is analysed and discussed through the ages focusing on two methodological approaches: first, thematic analysis has been employed to discover poets’ perspectives and categorise them; second, Arabic rhetorical analysis through figures of speech or ‘ilm al-bayan has been used to delve deeper into the poets’ meanings. This research is concerned to discover poets’ views through their poetry that has been written regarding these art forms and the artists that created them. In the analysis, this research distinguishes between two clear stages, each with its particular features. The first is termed the early stage where the poetic verses regarding the arts are limited, superficial, and only use minimal rhetorical tools. However, the second stage is called the developed stage, where the poetic verses regarding arts are much more extensive; furthermore, the art forms became a major theme in the poetry, the poets discuss the arts in-depth, and use rhetorical tools such as simile, metaphor, and personification substantially and actively. Arab poets expressed their perspectives on the arts in various ways. They were interested in showing their opinions about poetry through drawing comparisons between poets and poetic texts, revealing both negative and positive opinions, and providing advice regarding poetry. Regarding music and singing, the poets show their perspectives both positively and negatively, focusing on some specific issues such as the lyrics, musical proficiency, performance technique, and so on. Concerning painting and sculpture, poets reflect upon this art form positively, showing their ardent admiration of this art form. It can be argued that if arranging these three arts depending on the level of importance attached to each by Arab poets’ writings, one would put poetry in the first position, music and singing in the second and finally painting and sculpture in the third.