Hafez and Shawqi

Author's name: Taha Hussein

The twentieth century heralded the beginning of a major literary renaissance, one of the most prominent manifestations of which was poetry. Two Egyptian poets took the lead in this renaissance: Ahmed Shawqi, the prince of poetry and poets, and Hafez Ibrahim, who succeeded in occupying a distinguished position among the poets of his time, earning himself the title of "Poet of the Nile." Both poets revived Arabic poetry, restoring its vitality and freshness. Taha Hussein criticized their poetry and accorded it the status it deserved. Although his relationship with Ahmed Shawqi was not good, he endeavored to maintain impartiality and fairness. His book was an honest critique of these two icons of Arabic literature, observing the mistakes they made, while not denying their status and role in Arabic poetry.