The Crisis of Arabic Poetry Criticism in Light of Contemporary Criticism: A Critical Study on Taming Language through the Philosophy of Meaning

Abstract

This study aims to provide a fresh examination of the philosophy underlying Arabic poetic criticism. It highlights the most significant critical gaps that have distorted the image of criticism for the recipient and rendered it a means for unwarranted use. This oversimplification has caused criticism to lose its luster and rendered literary output meaningless, creating an epistemological and intellectual crisis that has led to the decline of both poetry and its criticism. This decline, in turn, has negatively impacted Arab culture as a whole, given that the poet is considered a prophet among his people. How, then, can all people claim prophethood through illusory pretenses? If genuine criticism were to regain its authority and influence, matters would return to their proper state, and each individual would recognize their rightful position. It is futile to leave the critical arena to those unqualified. Therefore, we attempt to identify the root of the problem in order to formulate an effective remedy that may contribute to the renaissance of Arabic poetry criticism, restoring it to its revolutionary potential and richness. Although there are multiple causes, and treatment will require time, we have in fact moved beyond the stage of prevention, as the current landscape bears witness to the corruption of taste and the alienation of cultural identity.