An Analysis of the Story of Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) in the Holy Qur’an Based on Roland Barthes' Five Codes Theory

 The semiotic analysis of religious texts such as the Qur’an has always attracted the attention of linguists because many of its linguistic signs have multiple layers of meaning. Through semiotic analysis and the interpretation of specific codes, scholars aim to uncover the deeper concepts embedded within the text. Applying Roland Barthes’ theory to the analysis of the story of Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) offers an effective approach that can aid in examining the narrative structure, unraveling ambiguities, understanding the governing system of the story, discerning the interconnections among its constituent elements, and unveiling the subtle beauties hidden within its layers.Researchers, motivated by the aesthetic allure and intellectual appeal of the Qur’an, have continually drawn upon its treasures. What distinguishes the story of Yusuf and other Qur’anic narratives from other accounts is their unique mode of expression, miraculous eloquence, artistic and firm use of vocabulary, and the multilayered nature of their meanings, all crafted by God Almighty. Due to the multilayered structures and numerous codes embedded within the verses, much of this Surah requires careful decoding. The present study seeks to apply Barthes’ five-code theory to reveal new dimensions of narrative quality in the story of Yusuf (peace be upon him), highlighting its educational and religious messages, and exposing the various semantic levels of its verses to the audience.

The present study, employing a descriptive-analytical method, examines this story based on Barthes' five-code model and seeks to identify and extract the codes embedded within this Surah.

Barthes' five codes are fully exemplified in the overall content of the story. The hermeneutic (enigmatic) code plays a significant role in revealing ambiguous aspects and guiding the audience toward solving the embedded riddles, with most of the enigmas promptly resolved. The proairetic (action) code shows a well-ordered progression, with the first action initiated by the story’s central character, establishing a strong connection between this and subsequent actions, particularly the final act—a notably remarkable aspect. The semantic code conveys the implicit meanings related to the character of Joseph and the settings of the narrative. The symbolic code is instrumental in illustrating the oppositions and contrasts between Joseph and the secondary characters of the story. Finally, the cultural (referential) code serves to explain and teach the importance of chastity, monotheism, and humanity’s ascent from humiliation to glory by divine will. The cultural code also enriches the other codes on a broader level of meaning, emphasizing the model of monotheistic belief and indicating that this story has been mentioned in earlier sacred scriptures.

The story of Prophet Joseph exhibits a strong structural coherence, with all five of Barthes' narrative codes manifesting throughout. Among them, the hermeneutic (enigmatic) and proairetic (action) codes are more frequent than the semantic, symbolic, and cultural codes. In accordance with Barthes' hermeneutic code, God systematically and masterfully guides the longitudinal progression of the story, resolving its enigmas either immediately or after a brief interval. The first riddle is introduced by the central character of the story, with the narrator pursuing its unraveling. It is noteworthy that at times secondary characters also pose enigmas, and occasionally, the audience is invited to participate in solving them.Given the structured nature of the narrative, the actions (proairetic codes) follow an orderly progression, with none taking precedence over the others; each action holds intrinsic value in its context and contributes to the richness of the story. The initiating action of the narrative—Joseph's dream—is actualized in the final action, which is a particularly significant point in the story.The presence of symbolic codes facilitates the audience’s understanding of the distinction between truth and falsehood, temporarily immersing the reader in the narrative’s contradictions before clearly resolving them, thus highlighting God's supreme power in orchestrating events. Through the symbolic code, the character oppositions are distinctly delineated, with characters positioned in direct contrast to one another.