Al-Yatemah under Focus

Al- Yatemah is a poem composed by Sweid Bin Abi Kahel Al-Yashkari and is one of the masterpheces of Arabic literature. However, it remains unnoticed like many other masterpieces in our Arabic literature. Earlier people realized its importance; nevertheless, they did not hold it in as high esteem as other heroic poems. The modern critics, apart from Taha Hussein's influential reading for some of its meanings, gave it zero attention. This research attempts to take a practical applied approac to Al-Yatemah, recognizing its multiple aesthetic dimensions drawing upon the creative critical visions in our literary heritage as well as in contemporary literary citicism. In this approach, the value of words alone is close to zero. Every word that is not put in a certain context is without value. Combination and arrangement is the minimal thing for the production of speech. Speech and language, however, is not enough for the production of aesthetic value. There are other secrets which promote a composition to the level of poetry.