The Aesthetics of Colour in Abu-Tammam’s Poetry

Abstract

This study attempts to analyse the aesthetics of colour in poetic discourse using the Abbasid poet, Abi Tammam’s an example of this analysis. I have carried out a textual study of Abi Tammam’s poetry concluding that the most significant colours used in his images are: white, black, red, green and yellow. The poet used these colours according to the context and added more significance to it by using personal and cultural experiences. Abi Tammam dealt with colours as an expressive strategy for emphasis. Through his constant usage of colours in his poetry, the poet was able to convey his special vision of life, self and the other to the recipient. The world of colours in Abi Tammam’s poetry is full of variation. His utilisation of colours is very suggestive, as it connects him with his emotional, social and cultural experiences. Therefore, the poet employed colours in order to clarify the text making it more imaginative and inspirational.