The Hidden Architecture of the Cohesive Text: The Poetry of Ibn Mayyadah as a Model

Abstract

This study examines the concept of the hidden architecture of the cohesive text in the poetry of Ibn Mayyadah by exploring the artistic and semantic structure upon which the poem is built. It aims to clarify how linguistic, rhythmic, and imagistic elements interact to produce a coherent poetic text based on unity and harmony. The study focuses on analyzing the internal relationships that connect the parts of the text and grant it artistic and semantic coherence, thereby revealing the hidden system governing the construction of classical Arabic poetry. The study adopts the descriptive-analytical approach through examining selected poetic texts by Ibn Mayyadah and analyzing the manifestations of textual cohesion within them, such as repetition, syntactic parallelism, semantic fields, rhythm, and poetic imagery. It also benefits from concepts derived from text linguistics and modern stylistic criticism in uncovering the deep structure of the poetic text. The study demonstrates that Ibn Mayyadah’s poetry is founded upon a precise network of artistic and semantic relations that contribute to the unity and coherence of the poem. Poetic imagery integrates with rhythm and linguistic structures within a harmonious artistic framework. The study further reveals that repetition, semantic fields, and poetic rhythm play a significant role in constructing the internal harmony of the text and deepening the emotional experience, which reflects the poet’s clear artistic awareness in shaping and refining his poetic composition. The study concludes that the concept of “hidden architecture” represents an effective critical approach for understanding the internal structure of Arabic poetic texts and uncovering the concealed relationships connecting their various elements, thereby granting the poem its artistic and semantic unity.