THE PHENOMENA OF LIFE AND DEATH IN OBAID BIN AL-ABRAS’ HANGING POEM An Analytical Study

مظاهر الحياة والموت في معلقة عبيد بن الأبرص: دراسة تحليلية

Abstract

This article is aimed at analytically studying the Hanging Poem by Obaid bin Al-Abras, especially the way it handles and discussed the phenomena of life and death. The poet has portrayed both the phenomena very delicately and has been quite successful in establishing a corelation between the two. He has shown a great sense of intellectualism and aestheticism. Beginning from the remains of the abodes of his dear ones, he relates all of it with the death and the triviality of human life on earth. Then he reverts to the life and both of its real and imaginery aspects, emphasising on the siginifcane of false hope and its deep impact on the individual level. Proceeding ahead, he portrays the journey in the desert accompanying with his she-camel, horse, hunting eagle and the even fox wandering around his prey. As a matter of fact, all these objects are serving as symbolism for the two phenomena of life and death, while th poet has utilised all of them very discreetly and tastefully.