Compliance to women in Arabic Poetry: An Analytical & Historical Study

Abstract

Poetry has been the scale of virtues and vices throughout Arab history. It preserves customs, establishes culture, and social values. While moral values are not always clearly defined, poetry has managed to maintain the boundaries of concepts such as manhood, dignity, and respect for oneself and one's position in society. Throughout various epochs, Arabic poetry has ridiculed the weak man who succumbs to the words of women, often employing harsh language and coarse descriptions, reflecting the decline of the traditional image of masculinity. Examining pre-Islamic poetry, the poetry of the early Islamic era, as well as that of the Umayyad and Abbasid periods, we find that the Arab psyche has remained consistent regarding those who heed their wives' opinions. Even if the advice is wise, it is frowned upon, provoking the man in terms of his pride and stature.Below are examples from each era of the flourishing Arab literature that addressed this issue, following a historical approach.