Description in Classical Arabic Poetry: Wasf, Ekphrasis, and Interarts Theory (Brill Studies in Middle Eastern Literatures) (Brill Studies in Middle Eastern Literatures)

This work deals with ""wasf"" or description which is one of the salient characteristics of the ""qasidah"" (classical Arabic poetry) tradition. It examines descriptive passages in a selected group of Arabic ""qasidah"" from different ages, with the motifs of horses, and bees and honey-gathering This Volume Deals With Wasf Or Description Which Is One Of The Salient Characteristics Of The Qasidah (classical Arabic Poetry) Tradition. The Introduction Offers The Theoretical Background Of Wasf And Ekphrasis (verbal Representation Of Non-verbal Texts In Its Modern Sense) That Can Be Considered A Western Counterpart Of Wasf. Approaching The Arabic Ode In Light Of Modern Western Critical Theory, Including The Theories Of Ekphrasis And Of Interarts Studies, This Work Is Original And Innovative, So It Leads To A New Understanding Of A Major Form Of Traditional Arabic Poetry.--jacket. Ch. 1. Contest As Ceremony: A Pre-islamic Poetic Contest In Horse Description Of Imru' Al-qays Vs. 'alqamah Al-fahl -- Ch. 2. Remedy And Resolution: Bees And Honey-gathering In Two Hudhali Odes -- Ch. 3. Reality And Reverie: Wine And Ekphrasis In The 'abbasid Poetry Of Abu Nuwas And Al-buhturi -- Ch. 4. Sensibility And Synaesthesia: Ibn Al-rumi's Singing Slave-girl -- Ch. 5. Poetry And Portraiture: A Double Portrait In A Panegyric / Ibn Zamrak. By Akiko Motoyoshi Sumi. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [235]-241) And Index. This volume deals with waf or description which is one of the salient characteristics of the qadah (classical Arabic poetry) tradition. The Introduction offers the theoretical background of waf and ekphrasis ("verbal representation of non-verbal texts" in its modern sense) that can be considered a Western counterpart of waf . The main part of the book examines descriptive passages in a selected group of Arabic qadah from different ages (Jhil, Abbasid, Andalusian) with the motifs of horses, bees and honey-gathering, visual artifacts, performance of song, and architecture. Approaching the Arabic ode in light of modern Western critical theory, including the theories of ekphrasis and of interarts studies, this work is original and innovative, so it leads to a new understanding of a major form of traditional Arabic poetry.