Literary criticism is one of the most important tools that Arabs have used since the Jahiliyya era to evaluate and savor poetry and literature. This criticism has evolved over the ages to become a science in its own right, based on the foundations of Arab literary criticism and specific criteria. In this article, we will review the foundations of literary criticism among the Arabs, from the first attempts in the Jahiliyya era to the methodological developments in the Islamic era. We will shed light on the most prominent critics and the most important critical works that contributed to the formation of this important literary field, with a focus on the foundations of literary criticism that laid the foundations of this science. Through this review, we will understand how these foundations evolved to become an integral part of Arab literary culture.
The Foundations of Arab Literary Criticism
Literary criticism among Arabs has a long and complex history, spanning from the Jahiliyya era to the modern era. Literary criticism was an integral part of Arab culture, with poets and critics exchanging opinions on the quality of poetry and prose. In this article, we will review the foundations of literary criticism among the Arabs, focusing on its development and its most important principles.
Literary Criticism in the Jahiliyya Era
In the Jahiliyya period, literary criticism was simple and unsystematic. It relied heavily on personal impressions and social norms. Literary markets such as Souk Okaz and Souk Dhi al-Majaz played a big role in shaping literary criticism, as poets would gather to showcase their poetry and receive criticism from the leading poets and critics of the time.
Literary Criticism in the Islamic Era
With the advent of Islam, literary criticism evolved to become more systematic. Critics began to use more rigorous criteria to evaluate poetry and prose. Literary criticism in this era focused on linguistic and rhetorical aspects, as well as meaning and content. One of the most prominent critics of this era was Al-Jahiz, who wrote several works that dealt with literary criticism in detail.
Literary Criticism in the Abbasid Era
The Abbasid era witnessed a major development in literary criticism. Criticism became more complex and systematic, as critics began to use specific criteria to evaluate literary works. One of the most prominent critics of this era was Ibn Qutayba, who wrote The Poetry and the Poets, which is considered one of the most important works in the history of Arabic literary criticism. In this book, Ibn Qutaybah established criteria for evaluating poetry, such as the quality of language, rhetoric, meaning, and emotion.
The Foundations of Arab Literary Criticism
1. Language and rhetoric: Arab critics attached great importance to the quality of language and rhetoric in literary works. They considered good language and eloquence to be among the most important criteria for evaluating poetry and prose.
2. Meanings and implications: Critics were also concerned with the meanings and implications in literary works. They were looking for the intellectual depth and messages carried by literary works.
3. Emotion: Emotion was an important part of literary criticism among the Arabs. They considered that poetry and prose should be able to evoke emotions and feelings in readers.
4. Fantasy: Imagination was also an important criterion in literary criticism. They considered the ability to use imagination creatively as a sign of quality in literary works.
5. Style: Literary style was one of the main criteria in criticism. They were looking for a unique and distinctive style that reflects the writer's personality and adds value to the literary work.
Literary Criticism in the Modern Age
In the modern era, literary criticism has evolved to include new and diverse criteria. Criticism became more holistic, as critics began to use different critical approaches such as psychological criticism, social criticism, and structural criticism. One of the most prominent critics of the modern era was Taha Hussein, who wrote several works that dealt with literary criticism in a comprehensive and detailed manner.
Literary Criticism in the Andalusian Era
In the Andalusian era, literary criticism underwent a remarkable development thanks to the cultural interaction between Arabs and Europeans. Andalusian critics were influenced by Greek and Roman philosophy, which added new depth to literary criticism. One of the most prominent critics of this era was Averroes, who tried to integrate philosophy with literary criticism, leading to the development of new theories in the field.
Literary Criticism in the Mamluk and Ottoman Era
In the Mamluk and Ottoman periods, literary criticism continued to develop, but at a slower pace. Critics in this era were focused on preserving and interpreting the Arabic literary heritage. One of the most prominent critics of this era was al-Suyuti, who wrote several works that dealt with literary criticism in an encyclopedic manner.
The Impact of Arab Literary Criticism on World Literature
The influence of Arabic literary criticism on world literature is undeniable. Through translation and cultural interaction, many Arab critical ideas and theories were transmitted to European literature. This influence played a major role in shaping modern literary criticism in the West, as European critics benefited from the foundations laid by Arab critics.
The Foundations of Arab Literary Criticism
Ahmed Ahmed Badawi is the author of this book, which deals with many of the foundations of Arab literary criticism, including poetry and prose criticism. The book begins by mentioning the subject of criticism and the critic's culture, and then deals with subjectivity and objectivity in the field of criticism. The book also explains the art and structure of poetry, and the criteria for criticizing its meaning, style, imagination, and emotion, followed by examples of poetry criticism by famous critics.
Master classes
1. The subject of criticism and the critic's culture: This chapter deals with the importance of literary criticism and the role of the critic in analyzing and evaluating literary works.
2. Subjectivity and Objectivity in Criticism: This chapter explains the difference between subjective and objective criticism, and how to strike a balance between the two.
3. Criticism of poetry: This chapter deals with the art and structure of poetry, and explains the criteria for criticizing its meaning, style, imagination, and emotion.
4. Examples of poetry criticism: This chapter provides practical examples of poetry criticism from famous critics such as Al-Jahiz and Ibn Qutaiba.
Importance of the book
This book is one of the most important references in the field of Arabic literary criticism, as it provides a comprehensive overview of the development of literary criticism and its foundations among the Arabs. The book contributes to a deeper understanding of the Arab literary heritage and helps critics and researchers develop their critical tools.
The Foundations of Arab Literary Criticism is an important reference for anyone wishing to study and appreciate Arab literary criticism. The book provides a comprehensive analysis of the foundations of Arab literary criticism and presents practical examples of poetry and prose criticism. Through this book, readers and researchers can better understand the development of Arab literary criticism and develop their own critical tools.
In conclusion, we can say that the foundations of literary criticism among Arabs were formed across different eras, from the Jahiliyya era to the modern era. These foundations have contributed to the development of Arabic literature and made it richer and more complex. By understanding the foundations, we can appreciate the efforts made by critics and poets in improving the quality of Arabic literature, and studying the foundations helps us understand the literary heritage more deeply and contributes to the development of modern literary criticism.