Ebn-Almoqaffa in Narrative and Poetry (Formerly known as Quarterly of Arabic Language and Literature

Ebn-Almoqaffa in Narrative and Poetry (Formerly known as Quarterly of Arabic Language and Literature

The aesthetics of movement expression in the poetry of the Omani poet Saif Al-Rahbi From a choreographic perspective

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
1 Persian Gulf University
2 Department of Arabic language and literature, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
10.22059/jal-lq.2026.402610.1538
Abstract
Choreographic art originates from the idea of transforming the written into a kinetic description, deriving its effectiveness from the body’s dynamics. The actor, as an influential figure in the theatrical process, captures the spectator’s attention through studied movements performed on stage. Thus, theatrical directing relies on expressive tools that enable the audience to read and interpret bodily gestures. Poets, too, may employ choreography to convey states born of physical expressions. Among them is the Omani poet Saif al-Rahbi, whose works we examine through a descriptive–analytical approach from a choreographic perspective.The motivation behind choosing this subject lies in exploring how non-verbal signs in poetic texts can be investigated and analyzed through the duality of movement and the body. This offers a comprehensive view for researchers interested in how Arabic prose poetry adopts theatrical modes. Such adoption results in the study of expressive gestures linked to facial expressions, mimetic movements, transitional gestures, aiming to reveal the thoughts, feelings, and states the poet experienced while employing them. Al-Rahbi’s poetry is thus rich in kinetic descriptions that enhance artistic persuasion. The actor’s body in his texts becomes a vital starting point that grants his works a theatrical quality infused with non-verbal energies. Through this, he exposes false emotions and presents a modern vision that economizes words by activating the visual channel of the audience, relying on a vivid narrative language born of physical impulses. Al-Rahbi utilized hand gestures and head movements within a choreographic framework to address political, heritage-related, existential, and emotional themes.
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