Pragmatic Analysis of Rhetorical Questions in Arabic Poetry (Using the Poems of Abu Faras al-Hamdani as a Case Study)

Abstract

Pragmatic analysis of Abu Faras al-Hamdani's poetry explores the idea that rhetorical questions in his work are not merely a means of seeking information, but rather a complex rhetorical device reflecting his psychological state and life circumstances. While traditional rhetorical analysis focuses on the figurative purposes of rhetorical questions (such as negation or affirmation), pragmatic analysis emphasizes the performative power inherent in the question, that is, the underlying meaning the poet aims to convey. One of the most prominent functions of rhetorical questions in his poetry is boasting and asserting self-worth: the poet uses rhetorical questions as an argumentative tool to establish his status and identity in relation to others. A prime example is his question in the poem "Do You Remain Unmoved by Tears?": "Is there anyone like me, in my predicament, who is disregarded?" Here, the poet is not seeking an answer, but rather asserting that his fame and status are undeniable, even if his beloved pretends not to recognize him. Complaint and Regret: During his captivity in the Byzantine Empire, his questions became a mirror reflecting his inner turmoil and anguish. In the poem "The Dove," his question, "O my neighbor, do you feel my plight?" was not directed at the dove to seek information, but rather to express his feelings of isolation and pain. Similarly, his rhetorical question, "Can a captive laugh while a free bird cries?" highlights the poignant paradox between his situation and that of the free bird. Expressing Deep Psychological States: Beyond being merely a linguistic construct, the question becomes a tool for expressing complex inner emotions, such as confusion, despair, and denial. For example, in his elegy for his mother, his question, "To whom can I complain? To whom can I turn for solace?" serves as a means of expressing the poet's despair at the lack of any source of comfort. A statistical study revealed that the interrogative particles "hamza" and "hal" were the most frequently used in his poetry, which supports the idea that his questions were often used for emphasis or to express a particular emotional state, rather than to request new information.