Ahmed Şevki as palace, exile and folk poet

Arabic literature, with a solid deep-rooted background, has passed through various phases in its history. At times stagnant but mostly with inspiring bright periods. In all of these periods, poetry has always preserved its significance, performed its function of addressing the emotions of the society shapping itself in accordance with the needs of time, place, customs and traditions. Arabic Literature menaged, after a long phase of stagnation, to enter into a new period when it came to contact with Europe following Napoleon's invasion of Egypt. One of the most prominent personalities of the modern era Arabic Literature is, no doubt, Ahmed Shawqi, known with the nickname of Amīr al-Shu'arā' (the Prince of Poets). As a poet, Shawqi apears to draw in his literarty output three different portraits as per the times and circumstances in which he lived. During the period of enjoying an aristocratic lifesyle in the palace, he made use of all themes of classical Arabic poetry, except for satire, coming to fore especially through the eulogies he wrote to the rulers of the time. When the First World War broke out, Shawqi, who was exiled to Spain, fell apart from his beloved country Eygpt. Thus, he elaborated on subjects such as homesickness, loneliness and the history of Muslims in Spain. After his return from exile, Shawqi devoted his poetry to religious, national and social issues. This study examines the poetical themes he dealt with during, the aforementioned, three different periods of his life.