Great article, especially the parts about the power of poetic rhythm. Have you read Giambattista Vico? He has a famous book called the New Science. Large sections are titled 'Poetic Wisdom', wherein he lays out the claim that oral poetry, recitation, was basically the seed of civilisation, the original form of record-keeping, from which sprang all the arts. Obviously he refers to Homer, but it's probably relevant here too with the whirlwind rise of Islam in the 7th century.
Sons of the Prophet
Great article, especially the parts about the power of poetic rhythm. Have you read Giambattista Vico? He has a famous book called the New Science. Large sections are titled 'Poetic Wisdom', wherein he lays out the claim that oral poetry, recitation, was basically the seed of civilisation, the original form of record-keeping, from which sprang all the arts. Obviously he refers to Homer, but it's probably relevant here too with the whirlwind rise of Islam in the 7th century.
OMG! I always wondered what it was about bin Laden when he spoke that I found utterly fascinating and you just nailed it for me.
Yes, his Arabic was very posh and polished.