The Status of the Poet between the Worry of the Role and the Desire of Exceeding the Limits: Reading in Abu Tammam’s Experience

Abstract

This study examines the status of the poet in the Abbasid era. The study makes a presentation that outlines the most prominent changes that had occurred in this era. It also shows the negative impact of these changes on the poet’s status. The study takes Abu Tammam’s poetry as an expressive model of this phenomenon since he has the most one in embodying and expressing such a worry. There appears in his poetry a high intensity of complain from the declining role of poetry and poets. Moreover, the study discusses the controversy sparked by Abu Tammam’s poetry in his ambiguous relation with authority, attempting to explore the connotations included within his discourse in praise poems. Finally, the study sheds light on Abu Tammam’s celebration of his poetic text as well as his constant fascination of such a text. This expresses the poet’s strategy in defending his poetry, which is viewed by Abu Tammam as a strong haven and staying power in this presence.