Psychoanalytic Theory in MacBeth

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I decided to analyze Act II, Scene II in MacBeth using Psychoanalysis. I have previously examined the passage using Marxism and Queer Theory, so I thought it might be beneficial to scrutinize the scene from yet another angle. However, I will also discuss another scenes, as well, in order to fully, yet briefly, demonstrate MacBeth’s two opposing psychological constructions. Psychoanalytic Theory itself has, what seems to be, two contradictory halves: Freudian psychoanalysis and Lacanian psychoanalysis. The first half focuses solely on the author and the unconscious mind; the second considers the unconscious, but prefers to concentrate on outside influences by deconstructing the text itself. According to Freud, interpretation is achieved by examining conflicts and symbols, such as Freudian slips and dream images. These outlets are help to determine whether an individual’s external behavior coincides (or conflicts) with their internal emotion. Freud placed emphasis on sexuality and the Oedipus complex, which is the idea of repressed sexual feelings toward a parent of opposite sex. He also defined three levels of the subconscious mind: the ego, the super-ego, and the id. Barry explains that the stages align with “the consciousness, the conscience, and the unconscious” respectively (93). On the other hand, Lacan, a follower of Freud, concentrated on the relationship between an author and his or her work. He claimed the two were inexorably connected, that objectivity is nonexistent. In an essence: an author’s personality is used to interpret the text and, in contrast, the text is used to gain insight about the author. Regardless of the emphasis, psychoanalytic criticism engages an individual in literature by asking them to consider ... ... middle of paper ... ... one another for dominance. However, since MacBeth does decide to kill Duncan, it appears that the id triumphs in the end. This analysis went much better than I initially thought it would. As I read through Act I, I discovered so many references to Psychoanalytic Theory that it was unbelievable. Granted, this could be the case because I am an English/Psychology double major. But what it that connection is merely an illusory correlation? I also discovered that the separation between Queer Theory and Psychoanalysis is thin. This seems to suggest that homosexuality is the result of a brain process. Works Cited Barry, Peter. "Psychoanalytic criticism." Beginning Theory: an Introduction to Literary and Cultural Theory. 3rd ed. Manchester: Manchester UP, 2009. 92-115. Print. Shakespeare, William, and Robert S. Miola. Macbeth. New York: W. W. Norton, 2004. Print.

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