The Alienation of the Ego in the Poem “Banat Su'ad” by Ka'b bin Zuhayr
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35516/Hum.2026.10613Keywords:
Alienation, Ego, Other, Plea for mercy.Abstract
Objectives: This study aimed to offer a new reading of the poem Banat Su'ad by Ka'b bin Zuhayr, focusing on the strategy of alienation employed by the poet to achieve his goal which lies in persuading the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to pardon him.
Method: The research adopts a descriptive-analytical approach by examining the poem Banat Su'ad, written by Ka'b as an apology and plea for mercy. The poem was analyzed artistically to reveal the poet's ability to employ the strategy of alienation to achieve his goal.
Results: The study results showed that the poet successfully employed the strategy of alienation to achieve his goal. He managed to emotionally and intellectually become appealing to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), resulting in the Prophet's forgiveness and gifting his cloak to the poet.
Conclusion: The study reveals the notion that Ka'b bin Zuhayr strenuously sought to sound appealing to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and declare his repentance by emphasizing the concept of alienation. Through this, he demonstrated his helplessness and weakness recognizing the power of the other to dominate him. Using this strategy, he transformed the ego from an alienated, weak self into an powerful self capable of influencing the other, whom he had initially dominated and deprived of strength, safety, and stability.
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