Man between life and death in the Diwan of Al-A'sha (Maymun ibn Qays) d.7AH

This research sheds light on the image of humanity in the poetry of Al-A'sha (Maymun ibn Qays) through the dialectic of life and death as two fundamental axes of human existence. The research focuses on Al-A'sha's portrayal of life as a space for pleasure, merriment, drink, and love poetry as an escape from the worries of reality. In his poetry, humanity is embodied as a being seeking pleasure without being oblivious to the fact that death is ever-present. The research relies on the analysis of selected poetic texts that embody this vision through poetic imagery, language, and symbols, revealing the depth of Al-A'sha's experience in expressing this existential contradiction. We chose the praised figure and the woman as two models of humanity due to their frequent appearance in Al-A'sha's poetry. The poet was known for his extensive travels and his praise of the kings of Hira and the elite, and women were a central element in many of his poems.