The Roots of Romantic Topoi: A Local Intercultural Encounter and a Glocal Transcultural Experience

Many critics have speculated on the influence of Western literature English romantic poets. Mainstream scholars often referred to Greek, Roman, and sources, attributing genealogy topoi West, while turning a blind eye impact non-Western culture. As result, Arabic materials Romantic poetry during eighteenth early nineteenth centuries remains insufficiently recognized. The present study challenges pervasive assumption that poets were influenced mainly by philosophical, religious, literary sources. Instead, it provides evidence supporting view roots derive from both intercultural encounters transcultural experiences. In particular, role played Oriental, Arab, Muslim writers in helping develop their themes, characters, imagery, narrative modes is discussed. Moreover, Arab-Islamic influences acknowledged rectify misconception solely resulted encounters. analyses presented paper demonstrate Islamic sources inspired British like Coleridge, Wordsworth, Keats, them not only finding own voices but also developing metaphors, symbols, images.