Poetic imagery and symbolism in Nizār Qabbānī's elegy Balqῑs

Abstract

This study investigates the poetical images, and Arabism, in Nizār Qabbānī's poem Balqῑs. Nizār Qabbānī was able to create a poem that is a mixture of elegy, praise, and satire. Studying this poem enables us to see his distinctive poetical experiment. The poet uses examples/images taken from Arabic life, religion, and tradition, through metaphor, simile, and symbolism that are drawn from the Arabic life and culture. Thus, they make a clear impact on the Arabic recipient. Qabbānī used those well known symbols in Arabic society to express the state of rejection and discontent of the Arabic man.