Ahmed Shawqi

Ahmed Shawqi (* 1868, † October 23, 1932 ) was an Egyptian poet. He is considered a pioneer of modern Arabic poetry.

Shawqi grew up in a wealthy environment; his family had good connections to the court of the Caliph of Egypt. After attending the University Shawqi visited a legal College, from which he graduated in 1890 with a diploma in legal translations. Then he was offered a position at the court of Abbas II, which he accepted also. From that time, his earliest surviving works, mostly hymns come to the caliph. After a year Shawqi was sent to round out his studies for three years at the universities of Montpellier and Paris. During this time, Shawqi came with the works of French playwrights in contact, of which influenced him, particularly Molière and Racine sustainable.

After his return to Egypt in 1894 Shawqi influence grew to Arabic literature resistant. His experience he gained during his studies in France, he was now being incorporated into the traditional Arabic literature. Thus he created the first lyric theater forms of modern Egyptian literature. His second great creative period did not begin until 1914 when the British sent him into exile for political reasons in the Spanish Andalusia. During this period particularly patriotic and home stressed poems. After Shawqi was allowed in 1920 to return from exile created especially poems that emphasized the splendor of Egypt of the Pharaohs and of Islam. His most famous religious works, such as the praise of Mohammed, emerged during this period. His most important plays that were heavily influenced by the style of his poems he wrote during this period. 1927 Shawqi was for his works the title Amir al- Sho'araa, translated Prince of Poets awarded.

Before his exile Shawqi lived mostly in the vicinity of the Caliph 's Palace in Sarah El- Qobba. After his return from exile Shawqi bought a house at Giza, where he worked until his death in 1932. The house is now used as an Ahmed Shawky Museum in memory of its owner.

Works

From Shawqi's works especially his plays have survived; he wrote five lyrical tragedies - including his most famous work, The Death of Cleopatra - two comedies and his only prose work The Princess of Andalusia. A verbändige collection of his poems came under the title Esh- Shawqiyyat in the bookstores; they also contain his most famous Mohammed praises Nahj al - Burda. Published separately is a set into verse history of Islam.

From Shawqi's prose works along with some short stories especially a textbook on modern Arabic poetry have survived.