Overview of Literary Criticism

Study Notes

Overview of Critique in Arabic Literature

Arab criticism historically focused on pure impressionism, assessing poetry based primarily on personal reactions.
Judgments often compared verses or distinguished between individual lines rather than offering systemic critiques.
By the late 2nd century AH, the study of poetry became integrated with efforts from linguists and grammarians, reflecting a shift towards more analytical approaches.
Initial critical principles emerged, some implicit and others explicit, often inherited from previous intellectual traditions.

Principle of Decorum in Criticism

The concept of decorum is highlighted through examples where poets failed to meet social and ethical expectations in their work.
The poet Al-Shamakh is critiqued for implying a lack of gratitude in his praise of his she-camel by saying, “Let her bleed the blood of the neck,” indicating poor decorum.
A critique of the poem "Al-Wafir" underscores that showing generosity only when intoxicated does not reflect true noble behavior.
These critiques showcase that evaluating poetry involves examining its relationship with social conventions and moral standards rather than merely judging the poetry itself.

Description

This quiz delves into the principles of Arabic literary criticism until the late century. It explores the evolution from pure impressionism to the establishment of explicit and implicit rules, influenced by linguistic and grammatical studies. Understand how criticism has transformed and contributed to the study of poetry.