Violating Taboo Boundaries in Abu Nuwas' Poetry; a Psychological-social Study

Subject Areas : Literary criticism

Jawad abderouyani ¹ , Shaker Amery ² , Sadeq Askari ³ , Mohammad Hadi Moradi ⁴

1 - Semnan University
2 - Associate Professor of Arabic Language and Literature, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran.
3 - Associate Professor of Arabic Language and Literature, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran.
4 - allameh tabataba'i university

Received: 2023-11-05 Published : 2025-02-26

Keywords: poem, Arab, Abu Nuwas, taboo, violating taboo boundaries,

Abstract :

The art of poetry is closely linked to the phenomenon of "Taboo" and "Violating Taboo boundaries" as its derivatives, and this conjunction is a feature that is unique to poetry more than other literary arts. The phenomenon "violating taboo boundaries" is more common in eras witnessing various developments and revolutions. Studies in history confirms that the Abbasid era was characterized by the dominance of social, economic and political changes, especially intellectual ones, which are considered to have the most influence on the spread of this phenomenon of "violating taboo boundaries". In this study, we investigated the factors of "Violating taboo boundaries" in the Abu Nuwas' poems and its narrative factors in Abbasid era, as well as the drives that motivated Abu Nuwas to shift boundaries of taboo, whether of literary, social or religious types and through this we have adopted descriptive, analytical and psychosocial analysis approach. The results of the research indicate that Abu Nuwas, through "Violating taboo boundaries" and breaking values and customs, was thinking of building new values and customs that would suit the new society. Meanwhile, he aimed at triggering a comprehensive, structured and tough struggle against every outdated, worn-out thing that only resulted in hardship for those who wanted to live a modern life like him. His starting point for "Violating taboo boundaries" was the strength derived from his knowledge, thought, culture, courage and not weakness, and it was also derived from his inner unhappy questioner,