The object of this thesis is to examine and to identify some of the characteristics of al-Akhtal's poetry. No such study of these five poems has previously been attempted. There are six sections to the thesis: 1. The text and translation. 2. A close structural and thematic analysis. 3. A stylistic analysis. 4. A conclusion. 5. Appendices. 6. Bibliography. It is hoped that from this study, it may be possible to present a critical examination of the poems in a manner which would be readily accessible to anyone interested.