Metaphorical Expressions of Mahmoud Darwish’s Poems

Abstract

This study examines the use of metaphor in five selected poems by Mahmoud Darwish through the lens of conceptual metaphor theory. The research aims to identify the types of metaphors and analyze their expressions in the poems. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, data were taken from English translations and analyzed based on Lakoff and Johnson’s (1980) categories of structural, orientational, and ontological metaphors. The analysis identified 37 metaphorical expressions, with ontological metaphors being the most dominant, reflecting Darwish’s way of presenting abstract concepts such as land, memory, and identity in tangible forms. Structural metaphors also appeared significantly, often linking natural imagery with cultural and existential meaning, while orientational metaphors, though less frequent, conveyed symbolic value in spiritual contexts. These findings confirm that metaphor in Darwish’s poetry functions not only as a stylistic feature but as a cognitive tool that transforms personal and collective experiences into vivid imagery. The study concludes that metaphors play a central role in Darwish’s poetic craft and demonstrates the usefulness of conceptual metaphor theory for literary analysis. Although limited to a small sample and translated texts, this research contributes to understanding figurative language in modern Arabic poetry and opens opportunities for broader and comparative studies.