Manifestation of Nihilism in Illia Abu-Mazi's Poetry*

Nihilism has been one of human obsessions; its history has its roots in human calamities, disasters, and failures in life. This school of thought manifests man’s psychological and epistemological status in which the meaning of life and existence is missed while fear and depression becomes domineering. A nihilistic aspect is mediation over the concept of existence which in turn has fascinated many poets and philosophers to it. Illia Abu-Mazi, an obsolete Arabic poet, who’s thoughts, literal and poetic aspects of his works has been the subject of many books and articles is one of poets who belongs to this literary school. The present paper deals with Abu Mazi’s nihilism and the leading factors that drove him towards this school. Then the nihilistic elements of his works are highlighted. Finally it could be perceived that different factors such as political, economic, social turmoil, poverty, Ottoman Empire's oppression, acquaintance with two philosophy of eastern pessimism and western nihilism, and being in contact with poets such as Jebran and Naimeh led to Abu Mazi’s nihilism. In this respect, in his divan he emphasized on death, existence, determination, reincarnation, and many other subjects from the nihilistic perspective.