Abd al-Kaafi Mohammad Sa’eed’s Al-Fa’ar fi Qafas Al-Itiham (The Rat in the Dock): A Historical and Critical Study

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to analyze Abd al-Kaafi Mohammad Sa’eed’s play, "The Rat in the Dock" (1984), from historical and critical perspectives. The play addresses the dangers of corruption in societies and nations, as portrayed through the trials of a legendary and multi-disguised Rat, known in ancient Yemeni history as the Rat of the Ma’rib Dam. While defending national figures in Yemen's ancient and Islamic history, the play also demonstrates the impact of corruption on nations and people. Methods: The study adopts a descriptive historical approach by analyzing and critiquing the text of the play. Results: The study highlights the dangers of corruption on societies and individuals, symbolized by the character of the Rat and its role in the destruction of the Ma'rib Dam and betrayal of the country. Furthermore, it attempts to present three challenging historical periods that Yemen experienced: the Sabaean period, the Ethiopian period, and the early Islamic period, embodied in three mythical characters: corruption represented by the Rat, History represented by the old man, and the people of the country represented by ordinary citizens. The study communicates how such corruption and events led to inevitable consequences, such as the migration of the population from their country. Conclusions: The study does not solely hold the Rat responsible for corruption and the destruction of the Ma'rib Dam, but also acknowledges the involvement of an army of corrupt individuals. This study paves the way for researchers to explore further studies that illustrate the dangers of corruption on nations and individuals, as well as its role in dismantling states, destroying economies, and undermining social cohesion.