Abstract

This analytical study explores the poetry of the eminent pre-Islamic poet Imru’ al-Qays through a meticulous examination of the various stages of his life, highlighting the psychological and social reflections that left profound marks on his poetic journey. The research is grounded in the methodological premise that poetic creativity, in its fully developed form, cannot be comprehended apart from the historical, social, and psychological context within which it was shaped. Poetry, in this framework, is perceived as the result of a complex interaction between the subjective and the objective, and hence must be interpreted through a composite approach that considers the poet’s engagement with his environment, society, and personal experiences. In this regard, the study focuses particularly on the transformation in Imru’ al-Qays’s poetic experience following the assassination of his father, Ḥujr ibn al-Ḥārith al-Kindī—a pivotal event that deeply altered his psychological structure and reshaped his views on life, death, and existence. This transformation manifested itself in the content and aesthetic form of his poetry, marking a decisive turning point in his literary persona. The study aims to address a significant gap in literary criticism, namely the scarcity of works that examine the artistic transformations of Imru’ al-Qays within a comprehensive psychosocial framework that incorporates observation, analysis, and interpretive depth. To this end, the poet’s life is divided into two main phases. The first phase represents his youth and early manhood, during which he appears as a rebellious figure defying tribal traditions, indulging in worldly pleasures, and pursuing sensory and aesthetic delight. His poems from this period are rich in vibrant and emotive imagery, depicting scenes of nature, descriptions of women, hunting adventures, and swift horses—conveyed through light and elegant expressions. Here, the poet presents the image of the “wandering prince,” breaking free from conventional restraints in pursuit of an independent poetic identity. The second phase begins with the tragic event of his father’s death, which marked a turning point in his life. From this moment onward, his poetry takes on a tone of sorrow, reflection, and a desire for vengeance. Themes of estrangement, loneliness, and existential anxiety emerge, with frequent symbols such as the desert, night, long journeys, and the horrors of war. His poems cease to serve merely descriptive or entertaining purposes, instead becoming profound expressions of his wounded self and inner struggle. Employing a qualitative interpretive method, the study combines literary analysis with psychological and sociological readings. Selected poems reflecting these transitional phases are analyzed with attention to words and symbols denoting pain, loss, vengeance, and alienation—thereby unveiling the emotional depth that underpins the poet’s inner world. The analysis affirms that the poet’s texts were not detached from his lived reality; rather, they were intimately woven from the fabric of his personal experience. The study concludes that Imru’ al-Qays’s poetic experience should not be reduced to a fleeting youthful impulse or arbitrary rebellion against tradition. On the contrary, it constitutes a complex experience stemming from the interplay of individual and collective dimensions, personal and tribal identity, and emotional and political dynamics. With its emotional richness and depth of imagery, his poetry offers a rare mirror of the self in the face of hardship and pain, representing a distinguished literary model within the corpus of pre-Islamic Arabic poetry. Accordingly, this study contributes a valuable perspective to Arabic literary criticism and presents a multidimensional framework for reinterpreting ancient poetry through the lenses of psyche, identity, and existential transformation.