Thematic and Literary Analysis of al-Mutanabbi’s Ode “Ughalibu fîka al-Shawq” from the Perspective of Rhetorical Devices

Adnan Arslan; İrfan Kaya

Article Details

Thematic and Literary Analysis of al-Mutanabbi’s Ode “Ughalibu fîka al-Shawq” from the Perspective of Rhetorical Devices

Authors:

Adnan Arslan | İrfan Kaya

Publisher:

Eskişehir Osmangazi University

Main Topics:

Arap Dili ve Belagatı

Journal:

Eskişehir Osmangazi Üniversitesi İlahiyat Fakültesi Dergisi Vol.12 Issue 2, pp.825-848

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

9/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001357959

pISSN:

2147-8171

Keywords:

Abstract:

 Al-Mutanabbī is regarded as one of the most frequently cited and perhaps most influential poets in the history of Arabic poetry, thanks to his unique world of meaning woven with art and intellect. His mastery in linguistic craftsmanship is remarkable not only for preserving the classical poetic tradition but also for transforming it and establishing a distinctive literary persona. The peak of his literary career was undoubtedly during his years at the court of Sayf al-Dawla al-Hamdānī. The odes he composed during this period went beyond conventional panegyrics, becoming texts that reflected the poets personality, worldview, and artistic style. However, following this illustrious period, al-Mutanabbī left Aleppo for political and personal reasons and entered the patronage of Kafūr al-Ikhshīdī in Egypt. His poems from the Egyptian period reveal an intense inner conflict. Although on the surface they contain praise, the poems addressed to Kafūr also exhibit undertones of disappointment, satire, and veiled criticism. Therefore, these poems are often considered questionable in terms of sincerity, yet it is widely accepted that their literary and artistic quality remains on par with those from his earlier period. While there are numerous studies on al-Mutanabbīs poetry during the Kafūr period, a focused and in-depth analysis of the ode Ughālibu fīka al-Shawq has been lacking. This particular poem occupies a key position within the poets discourse toward Kafūr and merits a thorough examination due to its rich artistic and intellectual layers. This article aims to fill that gap by analyzing the ode from multiple perspectives, including thematic structure, rhetorical style, and literary devices. The study first analyzes the key motifs, semantic layers, and the poems place within the corpus of classical Arabic poetry. The poets choices in language and style are looked at through techniques like metaphor istiʿārah and simile tashbīh, while ideas from maʿānī theorylike qasr restriction, taqdīm-taʾkhīr inversion, ḥadhf-dhikr omission-mention, and how definiteness and indefiniteness are usedare studied to uncover deeper meanings. could be better. His portrayals of horses and battle scenes are successful examples that both maintain the classical qaṣīda structure and exhibit powerful poetic imagery. Particularly in his depiction of horses, themes of heroism and solitude are evoked through layered symbolism, while the battle imagery is marked by dynamic visuals, phonetic harmony, and rhythmic energy, creating a dramatic atmosphere. One of the central findings of the article is that Ughālibu fīka al-Shawq is not merely a panegyric; it is a multifaceted text that conveys the poets internal contradictions, political ambitions, and disappointments while serving as a vehicle for his critical expression. In the fakhr boasting couplets, the poet exalts himself as an unrivalled literary authority even as he praises his patron; in other lines, he delicately constructs a powerful tone of satire and reproach, without violating the rhetorical decorum of a courtly poem. In this sense, the ode is not only a reflection of the thematic richness of classical Arabic poetry but also a compelling example of the intellectual and artistic depth characteristic of al-Mutanabbīs literary genius.

 Al-Mutanabbī is regarded as one of the most frequently cited and perhaps most influential poets in the history of Arabic poetry, thanks to his unique world of meaning woven with art and intellect. His mastery in linguistic craftsmanship is remarkable not only for preserving the classical poetic tradition but also for transforming it and establishing a distinctive literary persona. The peak of his literary career was undoubtedly during his years at the court of Sayf al-Dawla al-Hamdānī. The odes he composed during this period went beyond conventional panegyrics, becoming texts that reflected the poets personality, worldview, and artistic style. However, following this illustrious period, al-Mutanabbī left Aleppo for political and personal reasons and entered the patronage of Kafūr al-Ikhshīdī in Egypt. His poems from the Egyptian period reveal an intense inner conflict. Although on the surface they contain praise, the poems addressed to Kafūr also exhibit undertones of disappointment, satire, and veiled criticism. Therefore, these poems are often considered questionable in terms of sincerity, yet it is widely accepted that their literary and artistic quality remains on par with those from his earlier period. While there are numerous studies on al-Mutanabbīs poetry during the Kafūr period, a focused and in-depth analysis of the ode Ughālibu fīka al-Shawq has been lacking. This particular poem occupies a key position within the poets discourse toward Kafūr and merits a thorough examination due to its rich artistic and intellectual layers. This article aims to fill that gap by analyzing the ode from multiple perspectives, including thematic structure, rhetorical style, and literary devices. The study first analyzes the key motifs, semantic layers, and the poems place within the corpus of classical Arabic poetry. The poets choices in language and style are looked at through techniques like metaphor istiʿārah and simile tashbīh, while ideas from maʿānī theorylike qasr restriction, taqdīm-taʾkhīr inversion, ḥadhf-dhikr omission-mention, and how definiteness and indefiniteness are usedare studied to uncover deeper meanings. could be better. His portrayals of horses and battle scenes are successful examples that both maintain the classical qaṣīda structure and exhibit powerful poetic imagery. Particularly in his depiction of horses, themes of heroism and solitude are evoked through layered symbolism, while the battle imagery is marked by dynamic visuals, phonetic harmony, and rhythmic energy, creating a dramatic atmosphere. One of the central findings of the article is that Ughālibu fīka al-Shawq is not merely a panegyric; it is a multifaceted text that conveys the poets internal contradictions, political ambitions, and disappointments while serving as a vehicle for his critical expression. In the fakhr boasting couplets, the poet exalts himself as an unrivalled literary authority even as he praises his patron; in other lines, he delicately constructs a powerful tone of satire and reproach, without violating the rhetorical decorum of a courtly poem. In this sense, the ode is not only a reflection of the thematic richness of classical Arabic poetry but also a compelling example of the intellectual and artistic depth characteristic of al-Mutanabbīs literary genius.

 Al-Mutanabbī is regarded as one of the most frequently cited and perhaps most influential poets in the history of Arabic poetry, thanks to his unique world of meaning woven with art and intellect. His mastery in linguistic craftsmanship is remarkable not only for preserving the classical poetic tradition but also for transforming it and establishing a distinctive literary persona. The peak of his literary career was undoubtedly during his years at the court of Sayf al-Dawla al-Hamdānī. The odes he composed during this period went beyond conventional panegyrics, becoming texts that reflected the poets personality, worldview, and artistic style. However, following this illustrious period, al-Mutanabbī left Aleppo for political and personal reasons and entered the patronage of Kafūr al-Ikhshīdī in Egypt. His poems from the Egyptian period reveal an intense inner conflict. Although on the surface they contain praise, the poems addressed to Kafūr also exhibit undertones of disappointment, satire, and veiled criticism. Therefore, these poems are often considered questionable in terms of sincerity, yet it is widely accepted that their literary and artistic quality remains on par with those from his earlier period. While there are numerous studies on al-Mutanabbīs poetry during the Kafūr period, a focused and in-depth analysis of the ode Ughālibu fīka al-Shawq has been lacking. This particular poem occupies a key position within the poets discourse toward Kafūr and merits a thorough examination due to its rich artistic and intellectual layers. This article aims to fill that gap by analyzing the ode from multiple perspectives, including thematic structure, rhetorical style, and literary devices. The study first analyzes the key motifs, semantic layers, and the poems place within the corpus of classical Arabic poetry. The poets choices in language and style are looked at through techniques like metaphor istiʿārah and simile tashbīh, while ideas from maʿānī theorylike qasr restriction, taqdīm-taʾkhīr inversion, ḥadhf-dhikr omission-mention, and how definiteness and indefiniteness are usedare studied to uncover deeper meanings. could be better. His portrayals of horses and battle scenes are successful examples that both maintain the classical qaṣīda structure and exhibit powerful poetic imagery. Particularly in his depiction of horses, themes of heroism and solitude are evoked through layered symbolism, while the battle imagery is marked by dynamic visuals, phonetic harmony, and rhythmic energy, creating a dramatic atmosphere. One of the central findings of the article is that Ughālibu fīka al-Shawq is not merely a panegyric; it is a multifaceted text that conveys the poets internal contradictions, political ambitions, and disappointments while serving as a vehicle for his critical expression. In the fakhr boasting couplets, the poet exalts himself as an unrivalled literary authority even as he praises his patron; in other lines, he delicately constructs a powerful tone of satire and reproach, without violating the rhetorical decorum of a courtly poem. In this sense, the ode is not only a reflection of the thematic richness of classical Arabic poetry but also a compelling example of the intellectual and artistic depth characteristic of al-Mutanabbīs literary genius.

 Mütenebbî, sanat ve zekâ ile ördüğü özgün anlam dünyası sayesinde Arap şiir tarihinin en çok anılan, belki de en etkili şairlerinden biri olarak kabul edilmektedir. Şairin dil işçiliğindeki mahareti hem klasik şiir geleneğini yaşatması hem de onu dönüştürerek özgün bir edebî şahsiyet inşa etmesi bakımından dikkat çekicidir. Onun edebî kariyerinde zirveye ulaştığı dönem, kuşkusuz Hamdânî Emiri Seyfüddevlenin sarayında geçirdiği yıllardır. Bu dönemde kaleme aldığı kasideler, geleneksel anlamda birer methiye olmanın ötesine geçerek şairin kişiliğini, dünya görüşünü ve sanatsal üslubunu ortaya koyan metinler hâline gelmiştir. Ancak bu parlak döneminin ardından Mütenebbî, siyasi ve şahsi nedenlerle Halepten ayrılarak Mısırda Kâfûr el-İhşîdînin himayesine girmiştir. Mısır dönemine ait şiirlerinde şairin derin bir iç gerilimle boğuştuğu görülmektedir. Kâfûra yazdığı methiyeler, dış görünüşte övgü içerse de satır aralarında sitem, hayal kırıklığı ve alaycı bir tonda ima edilen iğnelemeler barındırmaktadır. Bu nedenle, söz konusu şiirler samimiyet açısından tartışmalı kabul edilmekte; ancak edebî sanat düzeyi bakımından önceki dönem kasideleriyle aynı estetik düzeyi koruduğu da gözlemlenmektedir. Mütenebbînin Kâfûr dönemine ait şiirleri üzerine yapılan çeşitli çalışmalar bulunsa da bu döneme ait Uğâlibu fîkeş-Şevka kasidesinin edebî tahliline odaklanan müstakil ve tematik açıdan derinlikli bir çalışmanın eksikliği dikkat çekmektedir. Oysa bu kaside, Mütenebbînin Kâfûra yönelik şiirsel söylemi içinde önemli bir yer tutmakta; içerdiği sanatsal ve düşünsel unsurlar bakımından kapsamlı bir çözümlemeyi hak etmektedir. Bu makale, adı geçen boşluğu doldurma amacıyla kaleme alınmış; kasideyi tema, retorik yapı ve şiirsel sanatlar açısından çok yönlü biçimde ele almıştır. Çalışmada öncelikle kasidenin temel motifleri, anlam katmanları ve klasik Arap edebiyatındaki konumu analiz edilmiştir. Mütenebbînin söz konusu metindeki dil ve üslup tercihleri istiare ve teşbih gibi beyân sanatlarıyla birlikte değerlendirilmiş; ayrıca kasr, takdim-tehîr, hazf-zikr, marifelik-nekrelik gibi meânî ilmine dair yapılar üzerinden şiirin söylem derinliği çözümlenmiştir. Bu yönüyle çalışma, şiirin yüzeydeki estetik yapısının ötesine geçerek, söylem arkasındaki psikolojik, sosyal ve siyasal bağlamlara da dikkat çekmektedir. Kaside, aynı zamanda hikemî boyutuyla da öne çıkmaktadır. Şairin birey-toplum ilişkisine, dostluk ve düşmanlığa, samimiyet, haset ve dünyevî hırslara dair yaptığı özlü tespitler; onun gözlem gücünü, içsel derinliğini ve edebî ustalığını yansıtmaktadır. At ve savaş tasvirleri ise hem klasik kaside geleneğine bağlılık hem de şiirsel imgelerin güçlü bir estetik çerçevede işlendiğini gösteren başarılı örneklerdir. Özellikle at tasvirlerinde sembolik düzeyde hem kahramanlık hem de yalnızlık duygusu yansıtılmakta; savaş sahnelerinde ise canlı imgeler, ses uyumları ve ritmik yapı ile dramatik bir atmosfer inşa edilmektedir. Makalenin ulaştığı temel bulgulardan biri şudur: Uğâlibu fîkeş-Şevka kasidesi yalnızca bir övgü şiiri değildir; aynı zamanda şairin iç dünyasındaki çelişkileri, siyasî beklentilerini, kırgınlıklarını ve sanatı aracılığıyla ifade ettiği eleştirilerini yansıtan çok katmanlı bir metindir. Fahriftihâr beyitlerinde şair, memdûhunu överken kendini de bir sanat otoritesi olarak konumlandırmakta; sitem ve iğneleme ile örülü beyitlerde ise edebî nezaketi aşmadan, sanat yoluyla güçlü bir eleştirel dil kurmaktadır. Bu yönüyle kaside, klasik Arap şiirinin tematik zenginliğini ve Mütenebbînin şiirindeki entelektüel derinliği ortaya koyan çarpıcı ve örnek bir metin olarak değerlendirilmektedir.

Article Details

Thematic and Literary Analysis of al-Mutanabbi’s Ode “Ughalibu fîka al-Shawq” from the Perspective of Rhetorical Devices

Authors:

Adnan Arslan | İrfan Kaya

Publisher:

Eskişehir Osmangazi University

Main Topics:

Arap Dili ve Belagatı

Journal:

Eskişehir Osmangazi Üniversitesi İlahiyat Fakültesi Dergisi Vol.12 Issue 2, pp.825-848

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

9/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001357959

pISSN:

2147-8171

Arabic Language and Rhetoric

Abbasid Poetry

al-Mutanabbi

Kâfur

Ughālibu Fīka al-ShawqArap Dili ve Belagatı

Abbasi Şiiri

Mütenebbî

Kâfûr

Uğâlibu fîke’ş-Şevka

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Adnan Arslan | İrfan Kaya

Publisher: Eskişehir Osmangazi University

Main Topics: Arap Dili ve Belagatı

Journal: Eskişehir Osmangazi Üniversitesi İlahiyat Fakültesi Dergisi Vol.12 Issue 2, pp.825-848

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 9/2025

Document Language: Turkish

Document ID (Org No.): 2001357959

pISSN: 2147-8171

Issues

Authors:

Adnan Arslan | İrfan Kaya

Publisher:

Eskişehir Osmangazi University

Main Topics:

Arap Dili ve Belagatı

Journal:

Eskişehir Osmangazi Üniversitesi İlahiyat Fakültesi Dergisi Vol.12 Issue 2, pp.825-848

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

9/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001357959

pISSN:

2147-8171