A Second Reading of the Image of the Serpent in Arabic Poetry

Abstract

Arab countries included many animals that poets cared for and portrayed، including reptiles. This research is interested in a second reading of the image of the serpent in Arabic poetry and the symbolic culture of the serpent. The depiction of the serpent as the crescent، the devil، the mill and the human being was influenced by the religious and legendary components، in addition to the social، natural and cognitive components.

The depiction of the serpent as the crescent is due to being one of the earthly symbols of the god moon. The two symbolize immortality and regeneration and are similar in some realistic and mythological qualities. The depiction of the serpent as the devil is due to the relationship of the two to the jinn and their symbol of malice، ugliness، evil and disobedience، which the stories told about the departure of Adam and Eve from Paradise or their deprivation of immortality have a role in its formation. Whereas the depiction of the serpent as the mill is due to the symbolism of the two for strength، rigidity، grinding and destruction، and sometimes their similarity in appearance. The depiction of the serpent as humans was not as widespread among poets as the depiction of humans as serpents، which was influenced by the rich and complex symbolism of the serpent that combines the thing and its opposite، and therefore the relationship between them differs from one image to another.

There is no doubt that the critical approach determines the researcher's path in tracking the literary or critical phenomenon and how to be displayed and processed. The research has been based on the analytical method in which there is a benefit of the majority of research methods and studies.