PGIHS-RC 2019

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https://ir.lib.pdn.ac.lk/handle/20.500.14444/4073

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Browsing PGIHS-RC 2019 by Author "Herath, L."

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    Manifestation of schizoid personality disorder in the character of cnemon in menander’s dyskolos
    (University of Peradeniya, 2019-03-29) Herath, L.
    Menander‘s depiction of Cnemon in his play Dyskolos is often identified as a mere portrayal of the stock character of "misanthrope" in Greek New Comedy. However, this study asserts that Menander‘s depiction of Cnemon is a realistic portrayal of a person affected by the schizoid personality disorder, which he may have observed in individuals in his society. This may have led Menander to delineate them on stage, illustrating the problems and issues arising from their difficulty to maintain typical social relationships. The main scholarly focus on this subject seems to have been restricted to general views of the ancient Greeks on mental disorder. Therefore, this paper examines the character of Cnemon with reference to the Diagnostic Statistical Manuel of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and posits a diagnosis of the schizoid personality disorder in Cnemon, analyzing his pervasive pattern of detachment from social relationships and his self-centeredness as displayed in the play. Moreover, this study explores the social, environmental and economic aspects that are reflected in the portrayal of Cnemon with emphasis on the known causes for the development of the schizoid personality disorder. The intention behind this approach is to investigate the idiosyncrasies that Menander might have observed in such personalities in his society in order to construct the character of Cnemon. Consequently, this study shows that the plot of Menander‘s Dyskolos is woven around the problems and issues caused due to the relative differences of individuals with such pathological personalities and the problems they undergo due to their difficulty to adjust and react to social situations in socially expected ways. These insights of the study have been backed by an examination of library resources, using a qualitative research methodology. The importance of the study is in its contribution towards unveiling the realism of Menander‘s characters and deconstructing the notion that Menander‘s characters are imaginative creations that lack any depth or interiority.