The Dialectic of the Self and the Other in the Poetry of Al-Wa’wāʾ Al-Dimashqi (d. 390 AH)

Abstract

The majority of Arabic poetry stems from the depth of thought, what memory has left behind, or influential accumulations, or what is formed from events—whether ancient or modern—all of which drive the expression of emotional states. Through this, subjectivity and alterity (the self and the other) emerge. The presence of the self and the other in Arabic poetry is an old literary phenomenon and is not limited to a specific era, as some scholars believe that it is a product of the modern era. Al-Wa’wāʾ Al-Dimashqi has a significant share in this matter; for the nature of the Arab poet is distinguished by sensitivity, pride, a sense of superiority, and a kind of confidence that makes the emergence of individuality and uniqueness clear and explicit, without fear or hesitation. The dialectic and problematic nature of the binary opposition (the self and the other) in Al-Wa’wāʾ’s poetry comes in a distinctive and unique form with a beautiful application that deserves study and attention.

As for the method or approach, it is objective and relies on extracting the binary opposition (self / other), clarifying its significance, and what relates to the poet in terms of creativity, poetic experience, and output—all of which are purely the subject of the study.