Fear and Intimidation in Al-sulouk Omani poet

Abstract

Terms related to the meanings of fear and intimidation are widespread in the poetry of many Omani poets, especially those who are known for composing ethical or moralistic poetry (qasidat al-sulouk). These poets became well known for this genre. So, what are the motivations that make a poet terrified and anxious when he directs the discourse of fear toward himself? What does he use to intimidate others when directing his words outward? What is the effect of the semantic field of fear on the production of some of the essential meanings around which the ethical poem revolves? Guided by these questions, we build our central problem in this study titled " Fear and Intimidation in the Omani 'Solook' Poem”." through four selected examples. Our approach is based on structural methodology and follows a three-part plan:
1. In the first section, we reflect on the terminological system related to fear and intimidation (e.g., fear, awe, anxiety, dread, reverence, panic, terror...).
2. In the second section, we contemplate the image of the fearful, anxious poet who strives to avoid falling into what God has warned against and prohibited.
3. In the third section, we examine the methods by which the poet intimidates himself and others in order to lead them toward salvation.
Throughout these three sections, our focus is primarily on uncovering the key meanings produced by the vocabulary of fear and intimidation in the Omani ethical poem.