Psycoanalytical Lense in Shakespear

636 Words2 Pages

Psychoanalytical- Ego- Theseus: gives Hermia choices, is willing to compromise Quotes: "Whether, if you yield not to your father's choice" act 1 scene 1 line 71 The play A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare holds many aspects of the psychoanalytical lense. However, none of the main characters are a perfect example of any one of the three subtopics, the Id, the Ego, or the Superego. The character Oberon, the fairy king, represents both the Id and the Superego with his efforts to benefit his own needs as well as a young lover's needs. Theseus, the Athenian king, portrays the ego with his attempts to give another young lover a choice. The Id, the Ego, and the Superego are all seen throughout the play. The Id is seen through many instances throughout the play. A character that portrays this very well is the fairy king, Oberon. He poisons his wife so he can get his way. While arguing with his wife, he says "Do you amend it then. It lies in you./ Why should Titania cross her Oberon?/ I do but beg a little changeling boy/ To be my henchman" (2.1.119-123). This shows that Oberon will not give in to his wife's will and is only interested what he wants. Once he realizes that he will not get his way, he decides to get his way by force. He uses a potion to poison his wife. While thinking to himself, he says “I'll watch Titania when she is asleep/ And drop the liquor of it in her eyes” (2.1.181-182). This shows that he does not care if he loses his wife, he only wants to “win” the argument. This is something an Id would do because Id’s do not consider the consequences of their actions. Oberon might lose his wife because of his actions, but he is blinded by his desire to get his way. Oberon does not only represent an Id, ... ... middle of paper ... ... “Whether, if you yield not to your father's choice” (1.1.71) she will be unhappy. This shows an Ego because an ego will compromise between the Id and the Super Ego. Theseus wants follow his Super Ego that tells him to help the lady, but he also wants to follow his Id that tells him to force the lady to marry unhappily. He compromises by siding with the father, but giving the lady options. The Ego will always compromise, just like Theseus. Throughout the play A Midsummer Night’s Dream, examples of an Id, Ego, and Super Ego are seen. The Id is seen when the fairy king Oberon refuses to give in to his wife's will. The Super Ego is seen when Oberon fails to see the consequences of helping a young athenian lady. The Ego is seen when the Duke of Athens gives a young maiden an oppurtunity to change her fate. Shakespear shows those examples of the psycoanalytical lense.

Open Document