Keyesian Flourishing and Languishing in Relationships: Harold Pinter’s Betrayal

This paper undertakes a comprehensive examination of the nuanced dynamics of flourishing and languishing as depicted in Harold Pinter’s 1978 play, Betrayal. Within the context of this play, Pinter incorporates elements of his own autobiography, contributing depth and a heightened sense of personal significance to the narrative, thereby enhancing the authenticity and relatability of the characters’ emotional journeys. The play demonstrates the complexities of three distinct relationships of marriage, male friendship, and an extra-marital affair involving married individuals. American sociologist Corey Keyes introduced the concepts of flourishing and languishing in 2002, signifying two opposite states of well-being. Written many years before Keyes’ introduction of these concepts, Pinter’s play vividly illustrates the initial flourishing in each relationship, characterized by vitality and growth. However, as the play progresses, the relationships gradually shift into languishing, marked by a loss of interest. Beyond its temporal setting, Pinter’s Betrayal offers a meaningful exploration of the complexities inherent within human connections, capturing universal emotions and experiences that affect across different eras. Through its incisive portrayal, the play illuminates the delicate equilibrium between these contrasting emotional states, offering a heartfelt reflection on the fragility and resilience of the human spirit amidst the ever-shifting landscape of interpersonal relationships. Keywords: Betrayal, Corey Keyes, Flourishing, Harold Pinter, Human Relationships, Languishing