AL-SHARIF AL-MURTADA'S CONTRIBUTION TO THE THEORY OF PLAGIARISM IN ARABIC POETRY (YEMEN)
Abstract
This dissertation presents a study of the contributions of the medieval Arab scholar and poet al-Shar(')if al-Murtada, 'Al(')i b. al-Husayn al-Musaw(')i al-'Alaw(')i (d. 426/1044), to the discussion of the issue of plagiarism in Arabic poetry. It establishes the importance of his opinions and their role in advancing the theoretic treatment of the issue of plagiarism and in forming a coherent concept of plagiarism in Arabic criticism. It studies al-Murtada's treatment of plagiarism within its general framework in Arabic literary criticism, explaining its significance, the factors which led it to emerge and develop as a critical issue, the circumstances which accompanied it, the phases through which it passed, and the outstanding theories put forward about it. Within this framework, al-Murtada's theory on the issue is fit into a chronological sequence and linked to earlier theories.^ An analytical, comparative study of al-Murtada's theory is done, highlighting his important ideas, and establishing their value and place among the ideas of other Arab critics. This reveals what al-Murtada contributed to the theoretical development of the issue of plagiarism and shows that he had an original and valuable point of view, distinct in its essence and goals from the points of view of earlier and contemporary critics. This study shows the significance of his point of view in the process of evaluating a large part of Arabic poetic production.^ Al-Murtada developed a number of important ideas on topics related to the issue of plagiarism in poetry, such as the issues of words and ideas, coincidence, common themes, and the question of similarity in poetic production. His treatment of these issues was superior to that of many prominent Arab critics. He put forward innovative ideas concerning unconscious plagiarism, the internal structure of the theme, the poetic image, generation, and originality. Many of al-Murtada's ideas are shown to be similar to those of some prominent modern Western and European critics. This dissertation introduces an important Arab critic, whose critical works and accomplishments have remained practically unknown until the prsent. The importance of his contributions to the discussion of the issue of plagiarism is shown, filling the missing link left by earlier studies of the issue in Arabic literature. ^
Subject Area
Literature, Middle Eastern
Recommended Citation
AHMAD MUHAMMAD AL-MATOUQ,
"AL-SHARIF AL-MURTADA'S CONTRIBUTION TO THE THEORY OF PLAGIARISM IN ARABIC POETRY (YEMEN)"
(January 1, 1987).
Dissertations available from ProQuest.
Paper AAI8713997.
http://repository.upenn.edu/dissertations/AAI8713997