Between Proverb and Sketch: Direct Speech and Dialogue in the maṯal

Abstract

The subject of this contribution is the presence of direct speech in ancient amṯāl and the different ways in which we may find it. Amṯāl containing direct speech show a connection with a dramatized background, with a sketch, that can be either evoked or represented. First, the amtal constituted by famous sayings will be examined. This kind of amṯāl, based on a ‘historical’, or pseudo-historical reference, allows us to consider several aspects peculiar to the Arabic proverb in general. In the second place, the amṯāl in which we find the insertion of direct speech will be considered, and finally, the dialogue proverbs.