T.S. Eliot's Mythopoetics Influence on Al-Bayyati's Poetry

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T.S. Eliot's Mythopoetics Influence on Al-Bayyati's Poetry: An Intertextual Comparative Perspective Introduction The influence of western poetry on Arabic poetry 1947 till now has been profound and revolutionary. The works of the great western poets, Shakespeare, T.S. Eliot, Blake, and pound and the like were translated into Arabic and influenced Arabic poetry. The impact was restricted subject matter, i.e. the ideas and content, to the rhetorical and metaphorical forms, and the depth of the sentiments expressed. However, Eliot exerted so deep influence on Arabic poetry. His works changed the form and technique of Arabic poetry as well as content. Seemingly, this change resulted from the close contact of Arab poets with European poetry and their attempt to imitate its form and content moreover, Samuel Moreh stated that these changes took place in the modern poetry when were many innovations in technology, psychology, sociology, economics, in addition, it was period of political struggle and change in customs, values, and ideology (217) This means that all these changes made the Arab poets more sensitive, more keenly aware of the events happening around them. So, Arab reflected the fate of mankind and bore a universal vision. Finding the form and content of the classical poetry no longer suitable to modern life, Arab poets believed that western literature could be a rich source for new forms, contents, and techniques in order to suit the time. Thus, Arab poets were under the illusion that the limitations of all forms of western poetry would rapidly bring about a literary revolution similar to that in European poetry. Another important trait of modern poetry, which has been adopted by the composers of the free verse, is the frequent use of mythology, religious symbols, "Greek eastern legends" as well as "Muslim," "Christian and Hebraic" symbols,

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