Rhymed prose

Rhymed prose is a literary form and literary genre, written in unmetrical rhymes. This form has been known in many different cultures. In some cases the rhymed prose is a distinctive, well-defined style of writing. In modern literary traditions the boundaries of poetry became very broad (free verse, prose poetry, etc.), and some works may be described both as prose and poetry.

Arabic culture and influences

In classic Arabic literature the rhymed prose is called "saj'" [ [http://www.sacred-texts.com/isl/mhm/mhm05.htm "Rhymed prose"] ] . An elaborate Arabic kind of rhymed prose is "maqama". It influenced other cultures of the Muslim world, such as Persian (as exemplified by Saadi's "Gulestan") and Turkish () [Belge, Murat. "Osmanlı'da Kurumlar ve Kültür". ISBN 975-8998-03-X.] .

"Maqama" also influenced the medieval Hebrew literature, a significant amount of which was produced by Jews of the Muslim world. It influenced the style of Yehuda Alharizi, Ibn Zabara, Ibn Hasdai (Abraham ben Samuel ha-Levi ibn Hasdai), Ibn Sahula, Jacob ben Eleazer. The corresponding works were called "maqamat" or "mahbarot" ("mahberot", e.g., "Mahbarot Emmanuel", by Immanuel the Roman).

Arabic rhymed prose was used not only for entertainment or eulogy.

Chinese culture

The Chinese form of elaborate rhymed prose called "fu" originated during the period of Han dynasty, when it was used to eloquently glorify the emperors. The style of the National Anthem of the Republic of China follows that of a four-character poem (四言詩), also called a four-character rhymed prose (四言韻文), first appeared in the Zhou Dynasty.

Indian culture

Rhymed prose was common in early Khariboli Hindi texts, such as "Premsagar" ("Prem Sagur") by Lallu Lal [ [http://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/webbin/book/lookupname?key=Lallu%20Lal%2C%201763-1825 "Prem Sagur", English translation online] ] and "Naasiketopaakhyan" by Sadal Mishra, in early 19th century but gradually fell into disuse. [ [http://www.sasnet.lu.se/panelabstracts/2.html "Shyama-Svapna: Rhyming prose in a nineteenth-century Hindi novel"] , paper by Robert van de Walle at the 18th European Conference for Modern South Asian Studies (2004)] The paper traces possible origins of the Hindi rhyming prose in Islamic and Sanskrit literature.

European cultures

Rhymed prose was a characteristic feature of the Divine Office until the end of the 12th century. A type of the "rhymed office" were offices in rhymed prose, i.e., in irregular rhythm. Later it was gradually replaced by rhythmical office. [ [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13027a.htm "Rhythmical Office"] ] They were popular in France and Germany, and a number of prominent composers of rhymed offices are known.

A kind of jesting rhymed prose in Russian culture is known as "rayok".

Rhymed prose is present in many books for small children.

Rap is characterized by spoken rhythmic, rhyming lyrics, a kind of rhymed prose.

References