Commitment and Creativity in the Poetry of Mahmoud Hassan Ismail (1910- 1977AD)

Abstract

This study examines the Egyptian poet Mahmoud Hassan Ismail (1910–1977), who blended deep moral commitment with artistic creativity, combining modernity and authenticity without contradiction. Born in a rural environment, he drew significant inspiration from his surroundings, which profoundly shaped his aesthetic and humanistic vision. The countryside and nature were constant sources of inspiration, while Islamic values formed a central axis in his poetic experience. His poetry called for truth and goodness, demonstrating that commitment does not restrict creativity but rather directs it toward a noble purpose. The study focuses on defining the concept of commitment in poetry, which, according to the poet, involves employing language to serve humanity and society without compromising the creative spirit of poetry. The research is divided into two main sections: the first examines commitment in poetry across three dimensions social, national, and religious; the second explores the forms of creativity in the poet’s work.