Throwing Down the Verbal Gauntlet, the Arabic Invective of Jarīr and Al-Farazdaq - (Supplements to the Journal of Arabic Literature) (Hardcover)

About the Book

The Verbal Gauntlet showcases a pair of eighth-century Arab poets who verbally battled to elevate their own prestige, just as modern-day rappers do. The book offers a new interpretation of Arabic invective poetry that informs the way we understand the genre.

Book Synopsis

Throwing Down the Verbal Gauntlet showcases Arab "rapper" poets Jarīr and al-Farazdaq. This eighth-century duo is best known for a series of verbal battles (flytings) they carried out over several decades. Verbal Gauntlet argues that these poets performed in order to elevate their own prestige, just as rappers do in modern-day "Dozens" battles. These were performances for performance's sake, a first for a genre traditionally associated with settling tribal disputes. The book provides a new interpretation of this poetry and changes the way we see the intertwining roles of poet, opponent, and audience.

About the Author

Cory Jorgensen, Ph.D. (2012), University of Texas at Austin, is Assistant Professor of Arabic at George Washington University. He has published on classical Arabic literature and Arabic pedagogy, including, "Jarīr and al-Farazdaq's Naqāʾiḍ Performance," Journal of Arabic Literature 54 (2023).