When we think of an angel, we think of purity, virtue, and integrity. On the contrary, we think of a devil as being wicked, immoral, and sinful. This is why it is common to see a devil on one shoulder, and an angel on the other referenced when dealing with a problem. The real purpose of this devil and angel symbol is actually used to demonstrate a moral dilemma, caused by a dispute between your super ego- the angel, and your id- the devil. The “ego” is used to decipher what is within your morals. This is all part of the psychoanalytic theory created by Sigmund Freud. The psychoanalytic theory was originally used to investigate and treat personality disorders and used in psychotherapy. Freud believed that 2 parts of the brain existed; the
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We commonly see these decisions in literature through defense mechanisms, such as displacement and denial of fears and emotions. A recurring theme we see throughout literature using the psychoanalytical theory is displacement. this defense mechanism is used by a character to bear the blame and anger on others to suffer in their place. In other words, displacement is a way for a character to project his or her emotions onto another character. This term used all throughout literature, even though it may be subtle. In Euripides Medea, we see this idea of a displacement being used. Medea, the main character in the Greek play Medea, is enraged at the fact that her husband has replaced her with a new wife after years of marriage. One would expect Medea to express her anger towards her husband, but she projects this anger and rage onto her children instead. Medea states “Ah, what i have suffered. What should be wept for bitterly. I hate you, children of a hateful mother...” (Medea page 5) This is an example of how Medias Id is being used; She had chosen to place the blame and anger on her children rather than her husband who had …show more content…
As seen in medea, Displacement may not always be the most morally correct choice, however that is not always the case. In the play Antigone, it starts off by Antigone revealing a plan to ismene to bury Polyneices. Despite Creon 's order not to do so, Antigone desires to carry out this plan in secret. When Ismene timidly refuses to disobey the king, aware of the consequences, Antigone angrily rejects her and goes off alone to bury her brother( Antigone page 120). Antigone is projecting her anger about her brothers improper burial onto ismene because of her refusal to assist her. Antigone 's anger wasn 't originally channeled towards ismene, but because she had angered her by refusing to help with the burial, she had placed the guilt and rage from her brothers improper burial onto Ismene. In cases similar to this, displacement can be triggered by certain events and not take place right away. in this case, antigone was not immediately angered at Ismene, but because she didn 't want to help her own brother, she had gotten enraged at the fact that her brother was not properly buried and was further angered because she would not help her re bury him. In reality, Antigone should be angry
We commonly see these decisions in literature through defense mechanisms, such as displacement and denial of fears and emotions. A recurring theme we see throughout literature using the psychoanalytical theory is displacement. this defense mechanism is used by a character to bear the blame and anger on others to suffer in their place. In other words, displacement is a way for a character to project his or her emotions onto another character. This term used all throughout literature, even though it may be subtle. In Euripides Medea, we see this idea of a displacement being used. Medea, the main character in the Greek play Medea, is enraged at the fact that her husband has replaced her with a new wife after years of marriage. One would expect Medea to express her anger towards her husband, but she projects this anger and rage onto her children instead. Medea states “Ah, what i have suffered. What should be wept for bitterly. I hate you, children of a hateful mother...” (Medea page 5) This is an example of how Medias Id is being used; She had chosen to place the blame and anger on her children rather than her husband who had …show more content…
As seen in medea, Displacement may not always be the most morally correct choice, however that is not always the case. In the play Antigone, it starts off by Antigone revealing a plan to ismene to bury Polyneices. Despite Creon 's order not to do so, Antigone desires to carry out this plan in secret. When Ismene timidly refuses to disobey the king, aware of the consequences, Antigone angrily rejects her and goes off alone to bury her brother( Antigone page 120). Antigone is projecting her anger about her brothers improper burial onto ismene because of her refusal to assist her. Antigone 's anger wasn 't originally channeled towards ismene, but because she had angered her by refusing to help with the burial, she had placed the guilt and rage from her brothers improper burial onto Ismene. In cases similar to this, displacement can be triggered by certain events and not take place right away. in this case, antigone was not immediately angered at Ismene, but because she didn 't want to help her own brother, she had gotten enraged at the fact that her brother was not properly buried and was further angered because she would not help her re bury him. In reality, Antigone should be angry