The Motives and Manifestations of Narcissistic Pride in the Poetry of Sulayman Al-Nabhani 10.35781/1637-000-139-004

Abstract

This study examined the phenomenon of narcissistic pride in the poetry of Sulayman bin Sulayman bin Muzaffar al-Nabhani with the aim of uncovering its motives and causes, exploring its various manifestations and identifying its contribution to shaping his poetic creativity. The study sought to interpret the poetic texts and trace the external factors that influenced their production. The significance of this research lies in its focus on a psychological phenomenon that, to the best of the researchers’ knowledge, has not previously been studied in the poetry of Sulayman al-Nabhani or in Omani poetry in general. The topic gains additional novelty and interest from the fact that the poet himself was one of the kings of the Nabhani dynasty, which ruled Oman for several centuries, during which its rulers engaged in major struggles against their rivals to consolidate their reign. This prompts the question about the motives behind al-Nabhani’s narcissistic pride and its manifestations in his poetic output. To answer this question, the study sought to investigate the theme of pride in his poetry by relying on textual analysis and interpretation, as well as examining the external circumstances surrounding the poet at the moment of his creative expression. The study employed the psychological approach, while also drawing on reception theory and hermeneutics. The structure of the study comprises an introduction and four main sections: 1. The Motives of Narcissistic Pride in the Poetry of Sulayman al-Nabhani 2. The Narcissism of Pride in Noble Lineage and Dynastic Inheritance 3. The Narcissism of Pride in Self-Glorification and the Denigration of Others 4. The Narcissism of Pride in the Claim of Uniqueness The study concluded that the most prominent motives for narcissistic pride in Al-Nabhani are represented in the combination of noble lineage and inherited kingship, the abundance of rivals contending for his rule, in addition to his royal upbringing. His poetic, political and combative abilities also contributed to the consolidation of narcissism in his personality. Narcissistic pride in Al-Nabhani’s poetry was manifested in three main aspects: the first is narcissism rooted in pride in the purity of lineage and inherited kingship; the second is pride expressed through self-aggrandizement and disdain for others; and the third is pride based on the claim of uniqueness.