The Superego and Hamlet Essays - 1435 Words

In the article, Shakespeare and Psychoanalysis: Tragic Alternatives: Eros and Superego Revenge in Hamlet, the author, Joanna Montgomery Byles, focuses on the psychological origins of revenge in Hamlet. Also the concept of the superego, both individual and cultural are brought up; and the importance of understanding the dynamics of aggressive destruction in Shakespeare’s tragedies involving revenge. The Freudian superego is usually thought of as heir to the Oedipus complex. In Hamlet himself, hate and destructiveness are consuming passions; the deep movement of superego aggression that motivates revenge carries him towards death. Although I don’t believe Hamlet had an Oedipus complex as Freud suggested, I do believe that Hamlet’s†¦show more content†¦This command is the instrumental reason as to why Hamlet rejected Eros thereby leading him to his destruction. The call for revenge overrides everything in Hamlet’s mind and creates this feeling of gui lt and obligation to avenge his father’s death, rousing his superego which ultimately is controlled by the ghost of King Hamlet. The ghost instills this idea that Hamlet must carry out this revenge otherwise he never loved his father and does not care for his legacy or any sense of justice, thereby effectively inducing guilt onto the grief ridden mind of Hamlet who then lets this call consume him- not wanting to disobey the ghost of his father and this superego which has just awakened inside him. The rejection of Eros plays a huge role in the destruction of Hamlet; He makes the critical mistake of rejecting a crucial relationship that could have saved him. It is this turning away from these romantic relationships that seal their fate in their destruction. There is a Freudian concept that states â€Å"That it is important to understand that Eros neutralizes aggression.† So had Hamlet accepted Ophelia, rather than turn her away and cruelly reject her love, his aggression and guilty need to gain revenge would have been washed away and he could have gained closure through the healing processes aided by the crucial love of Ophelia. ThisShow MoreRelatedPsychoanalysis : Reconstructing The Feminine Identity Essay1157 Words   |  5 PagesHamlet in Psychoanalysis: Reconstructing the Masculine Identity How do individuals become a part of the psychoanalytic mind when desires are present? The founder of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud, supposed that there were certain stages that an individual partakes in, which involved models dealing with early childhood age. These models were in connection to the psychoanalytic mind, which includes the conscious and subconscious (Parker, pg. 119). Freud explains how there are desires that are availableRead MoreRedefining The Feminine Identity : Freud s Tripartite Model Essay1198 Words   |  5 PagesReconstructing the Masculine Identity: Freud’s Tripartite Model in Hamlet, by William Shakespeare How do individuals become a part of the psychoanalytic mind when desires are present? The founder of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud, supposed that there were â€Å"certain stages that an individual partakes in, which involved models dealing with early childhood age†. These models were in connection to the psychoanalytic mind, which includes â€Å"the conscious and subconscious† (Parker, pg. 119). Freud explainsRead More Oedipal Complex in Hamlet Essay1069 Words   |  5 PagesHamlet and the Oedipal Complex    In Shakespeares Hamlet, the title characters main, and only flaw, is his delay. This seems to constitute the central part in Hamlet. 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The idRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Hamlet 1077 Words   |  5 PagesJacques Lacan are most commonly referred to in these texts. Hamlet is an identity that was shaped by Shakespeare himself in order to cope with the mental pain of losing his son, rather the play shows an opposing view and instead illustrates a son mourning over the death of his father. Shakespeare chose to highlight circumstances before the death of Hamlet’s father then continues to shape the story by dwelling on the emotion al pain and leading Hamlet on a downward-spiral from that moment forward. From aRead MoreAbstract: Hamlet of William Shakespeare Tragedy Revenge2100 Words   |  9 PagesThesis: In the play, Hamlet, written by William Shakespeare is described as a tragedy of revenge, through psychological origins of revenge, the styles of revenge during that period and the structure of Elizabethan revenge tragedies. This article, Shakespeare and Psychoanalysis: Tragic Alternatives: Eros and Superego Revenge in Hamlet., written by Joanna Montgomery Byes focuses on the psychological origins of revenge and in what part does the socialized and/or individual superego play in creatingRead MoreHamlet essay on emotion, fate and reason1241 Words   |  5 Pagesof mind. In the Shakespearian play Hamlet, the death of Hamlets father caused many problems, all of which eventually lead up to the tragic death of Hamlet. Each event that happens in the play is impacted by reason, fate and emotion. The events throughout the play that lead to hamlets downfall are determined by the roles of reason, fate and emotion. These three roles are key factors of the play. Reason plays the role of advancing the plot, especially when hamlet devises a plan to reassure the predicationRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s The Of And My Madness 1255 Words   |  6 PagesKierra Crenshaw â€Å"I have found both freedom and safety in my madness†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Derived from Kahlil Gibran, this quote correlates with Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Madness is an utmost theme within the play, affecting various characters in distinctive ways. Shakespeare conveys the message that madness is an extremely liberating realm and one should allow their mind to experience this release. Often a person is so caught up with life, responsibilities, and duties that they extract themselves from the pleasure ofRead MoreIn drama Hamlet, Shakespeare showed Hamlet in war for women. In the family, the son is Hamlet2300 Words   |  10 PagesIn drama Hamlet, Shakespeare showed Hamlet in war for women. 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The oblective is to provide a better understanding of how Shakespeare uses the events in the play as a means of shaping or changing Hamlets actions or emotions Hamlet is a character with emotions that are so complex and intriguing that we, as readers or viewers