"ALASTOR" AND SHELLEY’S LONGER POEMS: A NEW TRANSLATION AND NEW INTERPRETATION

As the second English poet after Shakespeare whose works have most often been translated into Arabic, Shelley occupies a special place in Arabic poetry besides his own acknowledged stature among the English Romantic poets.  The present research attempts to cast new light on Shelley’s longer poems, which have received noticeably less appreciation than his popular mature short lyrics. This new interpretation is built on Enani’s translation of “Queen Mab” and “Alastor”, an expressive rendition that has opened up a fresh vision of the poet’s longer works, providing insight into a hidden aspect of Shelley’s literary path which dramatically influenced his artistic growth as he matured. Among those most affected by Shelley’s longer poems were the Arabic Romantic poets, particularly the Apollo Group at the beginning of the twentieth century.  Enani’s Introduction to his translation included a biography of Shelley’s personal life in order to highlight its role in shaping his early works.  The research begins with an Introduction to the English Romantic era and Shelley’s ranking among its poets.  This is followed by an overview of the Arabic Romantic movement and its most notable poets from the Apollo Group, particularly due to their deep affinity with Shelley’s works and attitude to life.  (In fact, Shelley’s innovative influence and lifestyle were instrumental in shaping the dreams and perspectives towards non-traditional poetry of these emerging young Arab poets.) The paper then provides a new analytical interpretation of “Queen Mab” and “Alastor” informed by Enani’s translation, which reveals the influence of Greek mythology and Eastern mysticism, as well as the notion of purity, on the poet’s works and philosophy of life during this early period.