『방황하는 왕 이므룰 까이스』에 나타난 이므룰 까이스 성격 연구

Abstract

This article aims at surveying the main features of characterization as revealed in Muhammad Farīd Abū Hadīd's historical novel al-Malik al-Dilīl Imru' al-Qays(Imrul Qays, The Stray King)(1940). The novel was the first historical work of fair literary standard after his own Ibnah al-Mamluk(1926) which had a number of technical shortcomings. Imru' al-Qays was a real historical poet, but appeared in the Arab's history as contradictory in most traditions. Abū Hadīd described him as is shown - in a broad way - in the various historical documents. However, he made use of the fiction writer's right to imagination when he built the main characters and lesser ones. As for the characterization of the hero, Abū Hadīd depended upon two methods; direct definition and indirect presentation. Direct definition means that the narrator defines the character's features in a straight manner. Indirect presentation contains several channels, such as the description of the character's outward appearance, presentation through his or the other characters' utterance or thought, description of spatial things, and presentation of resemblance. The analysis shows that Abū Hadīd principally relied upon the various indirect channels in characterization. If there are peculiarities in the characterization in al-Malik al-Dilīl Imru' al-Qays, the first one we can point out will be that the destiny appears as a decisive factor in the hero's life, which reminds us of the ancient Greek tragedy. Abu Hadid's destiny seems to be a synonym of 'by accident', which reduces the story's verisimilitude and the character's reality.