The Use of Myth in the Poetry of Lotfi Abd al-Latif

Abstract

This study aims to shed light on the manifestations of the mythological symbol in the poetry of Lotfi Abd al-Latif, where myth has become a significant structural element in shaping modern poetic texts, with diverse modes of presence and methods of employment. Like other Arab poets, Lotfi Abd al-Latif’s poems have opened up to the world of myth. This study may reveal some of the aesthetic dimensions that the poet was able to attain through his invocation of myth and its adaptation in the weaving of his poem, turning it into a fertile source from which he draws expressions of his inner self and his suffering in the face of the social and political reality that weighs heavily on his homeland. Since expressing these concerns openly is fraught with risks, the poet resorted to hiding behind the mask of the mythological symbol, building bridges between mythological worlds and his contemporary life. Thus, his poetic experience became enriched, and his imagery adorned with high artistic and aesthetic dimensions.