علی خضری

Motif is a literary device that is usually used to enrich a text. It has not only to do with any recurring element within a literary work but with the creation of certain effects on the reader. The contemporary Iraqi poet, Yahya Samavi, has used motif not only as a decorative device but as a means to convey ideas dominant in his poetry. One of these dominant motives which reflect his life and mood has to do with the recurrent of charismatic characters who own extraordinary characteristics. This motif which plays a significant role in his poetry deviates from its ordinary function to develop new meaning and point of view. In this descriptive study which focuses on characters from history and their reflexes in the Samavi's poetry, characters such as Moatasem, Salah al-Din al-Ayyoobi, and Reghal, and characters from Islam such as Imam Hossein and Abi Dzar al-Ghefari are emphasized. And the poet has found a great power in bringing about these characters to enrich his feelings and images in his works. These well-known charismatic characters are the embodiment of the poet’s feelings and thoughts, concerning the problems of Islamic, Arab world. Samavi perseveres to encourage his addressee to be strong in will, to be patient and to show resistance.