A Symbolic Study of Mystical Love in Blake's The Lamb and Ibn al-Farid's Khamriyya

Abstract

Abstract

This study examines the symbolic representation of mystical love in William Blake's The Lamb, and Ibn al-Farid's Khamriyya, demonstrating how both poets, despite their different cultural backgrounds, employ symbolism to express divine love as a universal theme. Through a formalist theoretical framework drawing on Ransom, Richards, Brooks, Tyson, and Empson, the research analyzes how symbolic elements serve not merely as aesthetic devices but as sophisticated vehicles for conveying mystical experiences. Using qualitative textual analysis and close reading techniques, this study reveals how both poets craft their symbolic language to articulate the ineffable nature of mystical love. The findings highlight the shared patterns in their symbolic expression despite their distinct literary traditions, contributing to our understanding of mystical poetry's universal qualities.