This paper aims at analyzing and studying the phenomenon of
melancholy (sadness) in modern Arabic poetry since it is a feature that, unlike in ancient Arabic poetry, we can come across in most modern poetic writings. The paper distinguishes between
the sadness of an ordinary man and that of a creative writer who shows a special sensitivity and can turn his sadness into something creative and can express it in his writings. In this study, the researcher refers to the most eminent critical points of view that dealt with the phenomenon of melancholy in modern Arabic poetry. For example, Dr. Ezzuddeen Ismail’s philosophy and opinion in this respect are referred to especially that he links and compares between Arab poets and their European counterparts concerning the subject of expressing sadness in their poetry. Likewise, Dr. Ismail refers to the affinity between sadness in Arabic poetry and some prose writings that became known in the Arab culture due to the connection with the Western culture. The paper discusses these points of view and concludes, through analysis of poetic examples, that there are two reasons for expressing sadness in poetry: First, personal reasons that the poet has due to an illness, a poverty, or expatriation. Second, national reasons that have to do with the status and condition of the Arab Nation in modern times especially the political, social, and economic trouble and crises.
