Judas Iscariot. Psychology of betrayal

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

The main theme of Leonid Andreev's story "Judas Iscariot" can be defined as an attempt to understand the psychology of the most important betrayal in the history of mankind. The author interprets the plot in his own way, tries to penetrate into the very depths of the human soul, tries to understand the nature of Judas' internal contradictions, to study his psychology and, perhaps, even find an excuse for his actions.

The gospel story, in the center of which lies the image of Jesus Christ, is described by Andreev from a different position, his attention is completely riveted to only one student, the one who condemned his Teacher to suffering on the cross and death for thirty pieces of silver. The author proves that Judas Iscariot is much nobler in love for Christ than many of his faithful disciples. Taking upon himself the sin of betrayal, he supposedly saves the cause of Christ. He appears before us sincerely loving Jesus and immeasurably suffering from a misunderstanding of his feelings by those around him. Departing from the traditional interpretation of the personality of Judas, Andreev supplements the image with fictitious details and episodes. Judas Iscariot divorced his wife and left her without a livelihood, forced to wander in search of food. God didn't give him childrenbecause he did not want his offspring. And there is no story in the Holy Scriptures about the competition of the apostles in throwing stones, in which the deceitful Judas Iscariot won.

Traitor personality analysis

The author invites the reader to evaluate Judas not from the point of view of his actions, but in accordance with the feelings and passions that raged in the soul of this greedy, deceitful and treacherous Jew. A lot of attention in the book is paid to the appearance of the traitor, his duality began precisely with the face. One side, alive, had a sharp all-seeing eye and crooked wrinkles, while the other was deadly motionless, and the blind eye was covered with a white veil. And the whole skull, for some inexplicable reason, was divided in two, showing that there was no agreement in his thoughts either. His red hair gave him a demonic look, as if given by the Devil.

The neighborhood of such an image with the divine beauty of Jesus amazed and caused misunderstanding on the part of other disciples. Peter, John and Thomas are unable to understand the reasons why the Son of God brought this ugly man closer to himself, this embodiment of a false vice, and pride seizes them. And Jesus loved his disciple as well as everyone else. At a time when the heads of the apostles are occupied with thoughts about the Kingdom of Heaven, Judas lives in the real world, lies, as it seems to him, for good, steals money for a poor harlot, saves the Teacher from an enraged crowd. He is shown with all human virtues and shortcomings. Judas Iscariot sincerely believes in Christ, and even deciding to betray him,in his heart he hopes for God's justice. He follows Jesus until his death and believes that a miracle will happen, but no magic happens, and Christ dies like an ordinary person.

The inglorious end of the red-haired Jew

Realizing what he has done, Judas sees no other way but to commit suicide. By his suicide, he says goodbye to Jesus forever, for the gates of heaven are now closed to him forever. This is how another, new Judas Iscariot appears before us. Andreev tried to awaken people's consciousness, to make them think about the psychology of betrayal, to rethink their actions and life guidelines.