The Pragmatic Speech Event in Al-Zubairi’s Panegyrics (Paganisms)

Abstract

The study of Al-Zubairi's poetry, generally within the contemporary linguistic critical approach (the pragmatic approach), has not sufficiently included rhetorical study of Al-Zubairi's heritage. The focus of this paper is a minor issue of Al-Zubairi's poetry which was avoided by the poet himself, writers and critics. The main purpose of this paper is to cast light on one of Al-Zubairi's types of poetry which is the panegyric type, and to highlight an important aspect of Al-Zubairi's poetry which dates from a period that has not been studied, neither published in his complete works. After studying the poems under question, it was found out that they are not just panegyric type. They are rather symbolic representation used to uncover the truth the poet and his people suffered because of the person (ruler) praised in the poem. The study concluded that the poet was not praising, but he was in a state of steadfastness, defiance and determination. The panegyrics (paganisms) constituted two performative acts: The first is a direct performative act represented by the praise, whereas the other one is an implied act which also has two aspects. Aspect one was a call upon the Crown Prince to act properly; at the same time the poet provided him with the encouragement in both word and deed. The second aspect was totally different; the poet was a freedom fighter and through his call for freedom his speech was addressed to the people to rise and start the uprising.