Saturday, November 11, 2017
Hamlet and The Oedipus Complex
While Freud's development of the idea of the Oedipus Complex was largely grounded in Oedipus Rex, Hamlet also played a role in Freud's understanding. Freud saw Hamlet as having a preoccupation with Gertrude, his mother. She is, after all, the object of many of Hamlet's famous soliloquies, both in praise and criticism. Moreover, when she marries Claudius, an intense feeling of frustration and aggression towards Hamlet's new "father" surfaces.
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2 comments:
I think the Oedipus analysis of Hamlet is interesting for several reason. Typically, the Oedipus complex is explained as a son hating his father and wanting to marry his mother, but in this case Hamlet clearly actually likes his father and thinks his uncle can't compare to him. I think you can argue that there is still an underlying theme of an Oedipus complex in how he identifies with his father and hates the person who has married his mother. But personally I think he shows admiration and respect for his father that sort of undercuts this sort of basic Freudian analysis.
I’m really glad you brought this up, Liz! The introduction has a bunch to say about this concept too (on page lxxxi)
It says: “Hamlet cannot take vengeance on the man who killed his father and possessed his mother, because these actions are fulfillments of Hamlet’s own repressed Oedipal wishes.” Then the intro goes on to establish the two main arguments against this interpretation. Next, it goes back to Freud’s side and talks about the arguments as to why the Freudian interpretation is really correct. It’s pretty interesting. Ultimately the intro concludes that Freud’s interpretation is wrong.
I agree - why would Shakespeare think of that?!? And then put it in his play? It just seems like a big stretch. Second, I doubt that Hamlet secretly hates his dad, because Shakespeare never gives us any clues to that interpretation.
However, Liz is definitely correct in that Freud wanted to interpret it that way!
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