Malay Heroic Archetype in the Script Si Bongkok Tanjung Puteri: Between Reality and Falsehood

Abstract

ABSTRACT

The false hero, a figure who pretends to be heroic while pursuing self-serving interests, plays a significant role in many traditional narratives by complicating the moral landscape. This study examines the character Si Bongkok from the Malay script Si Bongkok Tanjung Puteri by applying Propp's framework through qualitative textual analysis. The analysis focuses on five key characteristics demonstrated by Si Bongkok as a false hero: deception, manipulation, self-serving motives, interference with the true hero, and temporary success. The findings reveal that Si Bongkok's actions closely align with these traits—he deceives others, manipulates situations for personal gain, disrupts the true hero's efforts, and experiences fleeting victories before ultimately succumbing to defeat. Situating Propp's archetypal false hero within the Malay literary and cultural context provides new insights into the narrative function and moral complexity of false heroes in traditional Southeast Asian drama.

ABSTRAK

Watak wira palsu, yang berpura-pura wira sambil mengejar kepentingan diri sendiri, memainkan peranan penting dalam banyak naratif tradisional dengan memperumit lanskap moral. Kajian ini meneliti watak Si Bongkok daripada skrip Melayu Si Bongkok Tanjung Puteri dengan menggunakan rangka kerja Propp melalui analisis teks kualitatif. Analisis menumpukan pada lima ciri utama wira palsu yang dipamerkan oleh Si Bongkok, iaitu penipuan, manipulasi, motif mementingkan diri sendiri, gangguan terhadap wira sebenar, dan kejayaan sementara. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahawa tindakan Si Bongkok sangat sejajar dengan ciri-ciri tersebut—beliau menipu pihak lain, memanipulasi situasi untuk kepentingan peribadi, menghalang usaha wira sebenar, dan mengalami kemenangan sementara sebelum akhirnya mengalami kekalahan. Penempatan arketaipal wira palsu Propp dalam konteks kesusasteraan dan budaya Melayu memberikan pandangan baharu terhadap fungsi naratif dan kompleksiti moral watak wira palsu dalam drama tradisional Asia Tenggara.