Arabic Vs English Characterization: Comparative Analysis of Hind’s Art of Characterization with That of Geoffrey Chaucer

Abstract

This study, qualitative in nature, tried to explore the worth of Hind Ibne AbiHalah’s characterization of Muhammad (PBUH), by reviewing it in comparison with the art of characterization of Geoffrey Chaucer, the great master of characterization in English literature. It was found that by instilling life into words, Hind has sketched the character of Muhammad (PBUH), in such an exquisite way as to make the readers feel his presence. The art of characterization, being one of the difficult arts of fiction and biography, needs keen observation, deep insight and superb artistic skill for presenting a living picture of a character, merely with the help of words, and maintaining the image created by it, till the end of the work. Unlike the literary characterization done in literary works, in which the character is assigned a role and then carried easily forward through the actions and words of the character and through other characters’ opinions, Hind’s characterization is simply non-literary and descriptive and his characters do not tell a story like those of Chaucer for further development of their characters. The analysis revealed Hind as having deep insight, keen observation, powerful memory and lively imagination. His art of characterization was found to be so much multi-faceted and his selection of details is so marvelous, that he did not leave untouched any such physical or psychological aspect of Muhammad (PBUH), which could have given any additional idea about Muhammad’s personality and appearance. The physical, psychological, ideological, spiritual, social, individual, domestic, typical, emotional, and private aspects of Muhammad’s personality have all been covered comprehensively, without leaving in us any inner urge for knowing more.