Shakespeare's Hamlet: Freudian Analysis

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Questions and Answers

What is the Madonna/Whore Dichotomy?

  • A theory that discusses men's emotional attachment to women.
  • A belief that women can hold both virtuous and promiscuous traits simultaneously.
  • A belief that women can only be morally virtuous or promiscuous, but never both. (correct)
  • A concept that describes women's roles in society.

Hamlet views Ophelia as a pure Virgin and a significant figure in his life.

False (B)

Who are the actors that played Hamlet and Ophelia in Kenneth Branagh's 1996 film adaptation?

Kenneth Branagh and Kate Winslet

After Gertrude's marriage to Claudius, Hamlet only sees women as __________.

<p>whores</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their correct descriptions:

<p>Madonna = A morally virtuous woman who remains chaste Whore = A woman who acts upon her sexual needs Oedipal tendencies = Hamlet's unresolved feelings towards his mother Misogyny = A social prejudice against women</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the human mind does Freud associate with instinctive repressed desires?

<p>Id (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Freud believed that the unconscious mind has no influence on our behavior.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is repression in Freudian psychoanalysis?

<p>The act of pushing unresolved conflicts, unadmitted desires, or traumatic events into the unconscious.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Freud divided the human psyche into the Id, Ego, and __________.

<p>Superego</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a method through which repression manifests?

<p>Hypnosis (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following Freudian concepts with their descriptions:

<p>Repression = Forgetting unresolved conflicts Sublimation = Transforming negative feelings into positive actions Oedipal Complex = Desire for the opposite-sex parent Ego = Conscious sense of identity</p> Signup and view all the answers

In contrast to repression, suppression is a voluntary action to manage thoughts.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Freud consider as the main determinant of behavior?

<p>The unconscious mind</p> Signup and view all the answers

What stage follows the anal phase in Freud's psychosexual development?

<p>Phallic phase (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Oedipus complex involves a daughter experiencing desire for her mother.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who wrote the play 'Hamlet'?

<p>William Shakespeare</p> Signup and view all the answers

The fear of losing one's phallus is referred to as the ______ complex.

<p>castration</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following phases of Freud's psychosexual development with their characteristics:

<p>Oral = Dependency on mother for sustenance Anal = Control over bodily functions Phallic = Awareness of sexual urges Latency = A phase of dormant sexuality</p> Signup and view all the answers

What motivates a boy's behavior in the Oedipus complex according to Freud?

<p>Desire to eliminate the father (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Hamlet's procrastination in avenging his father's death is not related to his feelings towards his mother.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main theme of the Oedipus complex?

<p>Desire for the mother and rivalry with the father</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Oedipus complex was named after a character from a play by ______.

<p>Sophocles</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Hamlet express when he scolds his mother about her marriage to Claudius?

<p>Jealousy (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Unresolved oedipal feelings in Hamlet lead him to develop healthy relationships.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What causes Hamlet’s deep feelings of rage towards Gertrude?

<p>Her marriage to Claudius</p> Signup and view all the answers

In Freud's theory, the Superego represents our ______.

<p>conscience</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the characters and their respective roles in 'Hamlet':

<p>Hamlet = Son of the deceased king Gertrude = Hamlet's mother Claudius = Hamlet's uncle and antagonist Ophelia = Hamlet's love interest</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Unconscious

The part of the mind that lies beyond consciousness and has a strong influence on our actions.

Repression

The process of pushing unwanted, painful memories or impulses into the unconscious mind.

Psychoanalytic Approach

Freud's theory that our actions are determined by unconscious drives, rather than conscious thoughts.

Ego

The part of the personality that deals with the demands of reality.

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Id

The part of the personality driven by primal instincts and urges.

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Superego

The part of the personality that represents internalized moral standards and societal values.

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Sublimation

The act of expressing unconscious desires in a socially acceptable way.

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Oedipal Complex

A psychological complex that involves unresolved conflicts with a parent figure in childhood.

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Madonna/Whore Dichotomy

The belief that women can be either morally virtuous or promiscuous, but never both.

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Hamlet's Objectification of Women

Hamlet's tendency to view women solely as objects of sexual desire, especially after his mother's marriage to Claudius.

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Separation of Sex and Love

The separation of sex and love, where love is only for virtuous women and sex is for promiscuous ones.

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Misogyny in Hamlet

The Freudian analysis reveals the misogynistic nature of Hamlet's characters, reflecting the patriarchal society of Shakespeare's time.

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Women in Shakespeare's Plays

The portrayal of women in Shakespeare's plays was influenced by the societal norms of the time, where women were excluded from acting and had limited roles.

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Phallic Stage

The stage where the child becomes aware of their sexuality and sexual urges.

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Castration Complex

The fear of losing the penis, often associated with male power and privilege.

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Oral Phase

The period where the child is completely dependent on the mother, fueled by breastfeeding and physical connection.

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Anal Phase

The stage where the child learns to control their bodily functions, developing a sense of independence.

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Freud's Analysis of Hamlet

The theory that Hamlet's actions are influenced by his repressed desire for his mother, Gertrude.

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Hamlet's Oedipal Complex

Hamlet's deep-seated desire to take his father's place and be the object of his mother's affection.

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Hamlet's Identification with Claudius

Hamlet's perception of Claudius as a representation of his own repressed desires, leading to his hesitation to kill him.

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Hamlet's Disgust Towards Gertrude's Marriage

Hamlet's feelings of disgust towards his mother's marriage to Claudius, stemming from his own repressed desires.

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Hamlet's Relationship with Ophelia

Hamlet's love for Ophelia, reflecting his unresolved oedipal feelings towards Gertrude.

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Hamlet's Despisal of Ophelia's Submissiveness

Hamlet's disdain for Ophelia's submissive nature, reminding him subconsciously of Gertrude’s devotion to Claudius.

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Hamlet's Gratitude Towards Claudius

The theory that Hamlet's procrastination in avenging his father’s death comes from his gratitude towards his uncle, viewing him as a replacement for his father.

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Hamlet's Fulfillment of His Oedipal Fantasy

The idea that Hamlet experiences his oedipal fantasy through Claudius, who killed his brother and married his wife.

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Hamlet's Killing of Claudius

The moment Hamlet kills Claudius, marking the culmination of his oedipal journey.

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Study Notes

Shakespeare's Hamlet: A Freudian Perspective

  • Shakespeare's famous quote, "All the world's a stage," reflects the idea that people portray different roles in life.

  • Freud's psychoanalysis examines characters' psyches, complexes, and mental states in literature.

  • Freud's theory centers on the unconscious mind, a powerful influence on behavior beyond conscious awareness.

  • Freud divided the mind into conscious and unconscious aspects.

Freudian Concepts in Literature

  • Repression involves pushing unresolved conflicts, desires, or trauma into the unconscious. Manifestations include dreams, slips of the tongue, and humor.

  • Suppression differs from repression, employing conscious control over feelings and thoughts.

  • Freud's structural model features the id (instincts), ego (sense of self), and superego (conscience).

Oedipus Complex in Hamlet

  • The Oedipus complex describes a male child's desire to replace the father and have a sexual relationship with the mother.

  • Freud's stages of psychosexual development include oral, anal, and phallic.

  • The phallic stage involves sexual awareness, and the father's threat of castration leads to identification with the father.

  • Hamlet's delay in avenging his father might stem from an inability to overcome this complex due to feeling affection toward his mother and uncle.

  • Hamlet's behavior during his interactions with his mother and uncle reveals repressed desires tied to the Oedipus complex. His jealousy and disapproval of his mother's remarriage suggest unconscious conflict.

  • Hamlet's relationship with Ophelia is affected by his unresolved feelings toward Gertrude. This complex prevents him from fully engaging with Ophelia romantically.

  • The "Madonna/Whore" dichotomy influences Hamlet's view of women after his mother's remarriage, potentially leading to objectification of Ophelia.

Conclusion

  • Freudian psychoanalysis reveals potentially problematic aspects within Hamlet's characters, particularly a misogynistic worldview reflecting societal norms of the period.

  • Women's limited roles during Shakespeare's time, including their exclusion from performance, are noted.

  • The analysis highlights disturbing character traits and reflects the patriarchal societal norms of Shakespeare's era.

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