Adler and Khosro: Linking Psychoanalysis and Literature in the Study of a Complex Character based on Nezami's Poems

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Ph.D. Student of Persian Language and Literature, Sanandaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor of Persian Language and Literature, Sanandaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj, Iran.

Abstract

Psychological criticism is a relatively new field within literary criticism. A literary critic who applies psychological theories can analyze and interpret the characters in a literary work based on these theories. One such theory in psychology is the theory of feelings of inferiority. This theory forms the foundation of the individual psychology school established by Austrian psychologist Alfred Adler. Adler views the feeling of inferiority as the driving force behind all human efforts. According to him, if this feeling is not compensated for through natural means, it develops into an inferiority complex. In this article, the character of Khosro in Nezami's poem "Khosro and Shirin" is analyzed through the lens of Adler's theory of the "feeling of inferiority" and compensation mechanisms. The study examines how Khosro's sense of bitterness emerged and the methods he employed to compensate for it. This research is a type of library study, utilizing a descriptive-analytical method. The research findings reveal that Khosro, the main protagonist of the story, like any other human being, experiences an inferiority complex. To escape this feeling of inferiority and satisfy his need for superiority, he exerts great effort and employs various compensatory mechanisms. These include self-contempt, expressing anger, choosing alternatives (such as pursuing sweet love), and even murder. Khosro's compensation methods serve to restore his psychological balance. According to the results, Khosro is a superior personality who recognizes his feelings of inferiority and utilizes different compensation strategies to overcome them. Ultimately, he attains a degree of spiritual balance by winning Shirin.
Introduction
The poem "Khosro and Shirin" by Nizami is regarded as the pinnacle of romantic poetry in Persian literature. Khosro, the central character, serves as the focal point of the narrative, with his actions and reactions significantly influencing the other characters. A close examination of Khosro's words and deeds reveals a complex personality that can be analyzed through various psychological theories. This study explores the character of Khosro in Nizami's "Khosro and Shirin" through the lens of Alfred Adler's theory of the inferiority complex and compensation mechanisms. The character's personal superiority complex and maladaptive compensation strategies suggest an underlying inferiority complex. Khosro employs various methods to overcome his feelings of inferiority, including self-deprecation, expressing anger, choosing substitutes (for Shirin's love), and even murder. Ultimately, Khosro achieves his goal of possessing Shirin, but his inner feelings of inferiority persist. In the end, he appears to reach a degree of psychological equilibrium. The objectives of this research are to answer the following questions: How did the inferiority complex develop in Khosro's personality? What compensation mechanisms did Khosro employ to cope with his feelings of inferiority in the poem "Khosro and Shirin"?
Method
This is a library-based study, and the data was collected through note-taking. A descriptive-analytical method was used to address the research questions. The population of this study is Nezami's "Khosro and Shirin" (1378), edited by Vahid Dastgerdi and published by Ghatreh. This epic narrates the love story between Khosro Parviz, the Sassanian king, and Shirin, an Armenian princess.
Conclusion
Khosro enjoyed a pampered childhood. This spoiled upbringing, combined with being an only child, prevented him from experiencing feelings of inferiority until adolescence and early adulthood. During adolescence, Khosro realized for the first time that not everything was permissible and that he was not entitled to everything. At this point, he became acutely aware of his feelings of inferiority and experienced the loss of things he desired. To compensate, Khosro employed various strategies, including playing the victim and engaging in daydreaming and fantasy. Another compensatory mechanism he used was blaming others. After meeting Shirin and being rejected, Khosro blamed her for his failures. Choosing a substitute was also a compensatory strategy; Khosro replaced Shirin with Shekar-e-Isfahani to assert his superiority. Additionally, crime and violence served as means to compensate for his feelings of inferiority.
Khosro's treatment of Farhad reveals two defense mechanisms: belittling Farhad and creating conditions for his murder. To demonstrate his power, the king orchestrated Farhad's death and blamed Shirin. Khosro felt inferior to Shirin and resorted to various tactics to win her over. Despite his outward appearance of power, he felt deeply insecure in his relationship with Shirin. His compensatory mechanisms were diverse and often contradictory, as he employed various defense mechanisms to assert his superiority and overcome his inferiority complex.
Results
Feelings of inferiority are a universal human experience. If not addressed through healthy coping mechanisms, these feelings can develop into an inferiority complex. This study found that “Khosro Parviz” first experienced feelings of inferiority in relation to his father. He compensated for these feelings by playing the victim and engaging in daydreaming and fantasy. However, despite being a powerful king, he felt inferior to Shirin and employed various compensatory mechanisms such as playing the victim, expressing anger, denying his need for Shirin, choosing a substitute, blaming others, and plotting Farhad's murder. Ultimately, by submitting to Shirin's wishes, he seemingly overcame his inferiority complex and achieved his desire. The story ends with Khosro retiring to a fire temple, suggesting that his inferiority complex has somewhat subsided, and he has reached a degree of psychological equilibrium.

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References

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