Hamlet, Destine for Tragedy? by Jane Sullivan
The article, “The Psychoanalytic Hamlet,” by Ernest Jones, describes how a psychological pattern, similar to that of, Sigmund Freud’s, Oedipus theory, (a boy's natural feelings of desire for his mother and jealously and anger towards his father) has affected Hamlet more deeply than most. Though, it does not seem Hamlet portrays the typical anger toward his father, as theorized in the Oedipus hypothesis, he does, however, show jealousy of other men who stand between himself and the women in his life. The lingering effects of Hamlet’s infantile sexual desire for his mother and later feeling of rejection are now emerging as anger and frustration in Hamlet’s adult years. Jones explains, that Ophelia’s …show more content…
Ophelia is the perfect example of a woman who seems to have the sincerest intentions toward Hamlet. However, when under duress from her brother and father, Ophelia is forced to reject Hamlet’s affections. The reality is, when faced with Ophelia’s rejection Hamlet shows no empathy or concern, but instead, verbally and to some extent, physically assaults her. This behavior confirms Hamlet’s underlying belief that women are not trustworthy. Additionally, this lack of compassion further substantiates Hamlet’s inability to connect physically and emotionally in a healthy way. As it is also clear he has grown so deeply disillusioned about love and sexuality that he cannot accept even the slightest rejection from the opposite sex. To such a degree, that when he witnesses his mother being intimate with another man, he automatically, though subconsciously, associates it with maternal rejection at best and quite possibly as sexual rejection. Therefore, one can agree with Jones’s assessment that Hamlet’s early relationship with his mother, or lack thereof, ultimately shaped the way he now views women, sexuality and relationships in …show more content…
Without a close analysis though, on the surface many viewers would likely pity Hamlet in saying: “Poor Hamlet. First let down and rejected by his mother and then further betrayed and cast aside by the beautiful maiden Ophelia.” However, clearly having struggled since childhood with morality, regarding his forbidden sexual desires toward his mother and possibly murderous thoughts of the men who posed a threat of coming between he and his mother, has left Hamlet with deep psychological scars. What’s more, by suppressing and compounding these feelings, it has likely resulted in lack of self-confidence and a general distrust in others; how can you trust someone, when you cannot trust yourself? Regardless, of the theory used to psycho analyze Hamlet; his behavior clearly demonstrates an emotional imbalance that likely originated from childhood. Therefore, with such deep-rooted emotional damage it brings to question if Hamlet’s life was simply destined to be tragic regardless of the triggering
The article, “The Psychoanalytic Hamlet,” by Ernest Jones, describes how a psychological pattern, similar to that of, Sigmund Freud’s, Oedipus theory, (a boy's natural feelings of desire for his mother and jealously and anger towards his father) has affected Hamlet more deeply than most. Though, it does not seem Hamlet portrays the typical anger toward his father, as theorized in the Oedipus hypothesis, he does, however, show jealousy of other men who stand between himself and the women in his life. The lingering effects of Hamlet’s infantile sexual desire for his mother and later feeling of rejection are now emerging as anger and frustration in Hamlet’s adult years. Jones explains, that Ophelia’s …show more content…
Ophelia is the perfect example of a woman who seems to have the sincerest intentions toward Hamlet. However, when under duress from her brother and father, Ophelia is forced to reject Hamlet’s affections. The reality is, when faced with Ophelia’s rejection Hamlet shows no empathy or concern, but instead, verbally and to some extent, physically assaults her. This behavior confirms Hamlet’s underlying belief that women are not trustworthy. Additionally, this lack of compassion further substantiates Hamlet’s inability to connect physically and emotionally in a healthy way. As it is also clear he has grown so deeply disillusioned about love and sexuality that he cannot accept even the slightest rejection from the opposite sex. To such a degree, that when he witnesses his mother being intimate with another man, he automatically, though subconsciously, associates it with maternal rejection at best and quite possibly as sexual rejection. Therefore, one can agree with Jones’s assessment that Hamlet’s early relationship with his mother, or lack thereof, ultimately shaped the way he now views women, sexuality and relationships in …show more content…
Without a close analysis though, on the surface many viewers would likely pity Hamlet in saying: “Poor Hamlet. First let down and rejected by his mother and then further betrayed and cast aside by the beautiful maiden Ophelia.” However, clearly having struggled since childhood with morality, regarding his forbidden sexual desires toward his mother and possibly murderous thoughts of the men who posed a threat of coming between he and his mother, has left Hamlet with deep psychological scars. What’s more, by suppressing and compounding these feelings, it has likely resulted in lack of self-confidence and a general distrust in others; how can you trust someone, when you cannot trust yourself? Regardless, of the theory used to psycho analyze Hamlet; his behavior clearly demonstrates an emotional imbalance that likely originated from childhood. Therefore, with such deep-rooted emotional damage it brings to question if Hamlet’s life was simply destined to be tragic regardless of the triggering