Narcissism Signs in Al-Mutanabbi's Life

Al-Mutanabbi is one of the most salient Arab poets as well as one of the most effective of them in Arabian literature. He has composed many poems in different kinds as madh (eulogy), ratha (elegy), fakhr (glory) and etc., but fakhr dominates his poetry such a way that the reader is able to find its trace in all of his qaside (ballade), either that qaside isabout fakhr or heja or ratha, but fakhr is specific to his poetry unlike other poets'. The poet, despite his much devotion to fakhr, does not praise his nation and he does not abandon praising himself even at the time of praising the eulogists. Therefore, it is hypothesized in this study that Al-Mutanabbi is afflicted with too much self-infatuation and pride, or as psychologists call it, he suffers from narcissism. Early in this study, the term narcissism is investigated lexically, and then, the concept is elucidated from the psychologists’ view points. The symptoms of the narcissist people are also counted. Then, the study mentions some of the Al-Mutanabbi’s poems which indicate narcissism, and as evidence in this regard, the writer compares the lexical signs with the behaviors the poet has demonstrated in his life which confirm his narcissist personality. In addition, through investigating Al-Mutanabbi's life and the environment where he had grown up in and his gifted talents, the cause of narcissism in his personality is explained. Finally, the writer concludes that there are signs of narcissism in the Al-Mutanabbi's personality which have revealed themselves through megalomania, diminution of people, ignoring his ancestors for glory, exaggerating difficulties, over-boasting, and an unfaithfulness to the adored