Manifestations of Fear in the Poetry of Ahmed Matar: A Semantic and Artistic Study

Abstract

The contemporary poet has taken up the responsibility of expressing societal issues, making them the central focus of his poetry. One of the most prominent characteristics of modern poetry is the expression of social concerns, whether directly or through allusion, symbolism, or satire. This is clearly manifested in the poetry of Ahmed Matar, where satire constitutes a fundamental pillar of his work. His poetic language is often constructed upon this basis, with some poems entirely built around it. Some critics attribute this satirical style to underlying feelings of fear—fear of censorship, authority, or death. This study examines the manifestations of fear in the poetry of Ahmed Matar from both semantic and artistic perspectives. It explores the causes of fear as reflected in his poems, as well as its manifestations, such as the oppression of authority and the silencing of voices. The research also delves into the artistic tools used to express fear in his poetry, such as prison, the knife, and the grave. This is achieved through the analysis of selected poetic excerpts and an in-depth artistic study of them.