The Concept of Love in Nizar Qabbani's Qamus Al-Ashiqin: A Semiotic Study According to Roland Barthes

This study explores the concept of love in Nizar Qabbani's “Qamus al-Asyikin” using Roland Barthes' semiotic approach. The research is driven by the need to understand how love is represented in Middle Eastern literature, particularly by Qabbani, a prominent Arab poet. The study aims to reveal how Qabbani employs symbols and signs to depict love and how denotation, connotation, and myth contribute to a deeper understanding of this emotion. Through qualitative analysis, the study finds that Qabbani portrays love as an essential and transformative force, reflecting deep emotions, complex feelings, and rich cultural values. The implications suggest that Barthes' semiotic approach effectively analyzes literary works, enhancing the comprehension of cultural and ideological representations.