The Effectiveness of Place and Praise in the Poetry of Ibn Zamrak al-Andalusi (d. 797 AH)

Abstract

Abstract

The research examines the effectiveness of place and its role in enhancing the purpose of praise in the poetry of Ibn Zamrak al-Andalusi, one of the most prominent poetic themes in his diwan. The poet widely employed praise to commend the sultan, the vizier, the prince, and scholars. Within this context of praise, his poems often included references to places, either describing or alluding to them, in a way that serves to reinforce and deepen the praiseworthy meaning. This contributes to creating a vivid artistic image that highlights the interrelationship between place and the purpose of praise. Praise emerged as the dominant theme in Ibn Zamrak's diwan, surpassing other themes, due to the opportunities provided by the rulers and princes in Al-Andalus, who encouraged poets to express their creativity. As a result, the number of poems and pieces in this theme reached a total of 129. One of the most striking aspects of spatial effectiveness is how the poet used place as a tool to enhance and emphasize the purpose of praise

Keywords: Praise, Ibn Zamrak, Sultan, al-Ghani bi-Allah, the praised