Psychoanalytic theory

Psychoanalytic theory is a framework for understanding human behavior and the functioning of the
mind. It was developed by Sigmund Freud and his followers, and is based on the belief that our
unconscious drives and desires influence our behavior and personality. Psychoanalytic theory focuses on
the interaction between the conscious and unconscious mind, and how past experiences and repressed
emotions can affect our behavior and mental health.

The three main components of psychoanalytic theory are the id, ego, and superego. The id is the
primitive, unconscious part of the mind that is driven by instinctual impulses such as hunger, thirst, and
sexual desire. The ego is the rational part of the mind that seeks to balance the desires of the id with the
demands of the external world. The superego is the moral and ethical part of the mind that represents
the internalization of society’s values and norms.

One example of psychoanalytic theory in action can be seen in the case of a patient with a phobia of
spiders. According to psychoanalytic theory, the fear of spiders may be rooted in unconscious childhood
experiences, such as a traumatic encounter with a spider or a fear of being punished for exploring
dangerous places. Through psychoanalysis, the patient can explore and process these underlying
emotions and experiences, and work to overcome their phobia.

Psychoanalytic theory can also be applied to literature, as many works of fiction explore the
psychological depths of their characters. One example is William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet. The
character of Hamlet is haunted by the ghost of his father and struggles with feelings of anger, betrayal,
and indecision. Through a psychoanalytic lens, Hamlet’s behavior can be understood as a manifestation
of his repressed desires and unconscious conflicts. For example, his inability to act on his desire for
revenge may be due to his fear of the consequences and his conflicting moral values.

To apply psychoanalytic theory to a literary work, one can analyze the characters’ behavior, motivations,
and relationships through a psychological lens. This can involve exploring the characters’ unconscious
desires, unresolved conflicts, and repressed emotions. For example, in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The
Great Gatsby, the character of Jay Gatsby can be analyzed through a psychoanalytic lens as a man driven
by his unconscious desire to win back the love of his former girlfriend, Daisy Buchanan. This desire is
manifested in his extravagant parties, his accumulation of wealth, and his obsessive pursuit of Daisy, all
of which can be seen as attempts to compensate for his feelings of inadequacy and his fear of rejection.

In conclusion, psychoanalytic theory provides a framework for understanding human behavior and the
functioning of the mind. It can be applied to a range of settings, from clinical psychology to literary
analysis, to help us understand the complex motivations and inner conflicts that drive human behavior.

How to apply psychoanalytic theory on a literary work

Here are some steps to apply psychoanalytic theory to a literary work, using the play Macbeth as an
example:

1) Identify the key characters and their psychological traits, motivations, and conflicts.
a) Macbeth: a Scottish general who becomes consumed by ambition and guilt after
murdering King Duncan.
 b) Lady Macbeth: Macbeth’s wife, who convinces him to commit the murder and also
becomes consumed by guilt and madness.
c) The witches: supernatural beings who prophesize Macbeth’s rise to power and play a
key role in his downfall.
2) Apply psychoanalytic concepts to the characters’ behavior and motivations.
A) For Macbeth, we can apply the concept of the id, which represents the
unconscious desires and impulses that drive behavior. Macbeth’s ambition to
become king can be seen as a manifestation of his unconscious desire for
power and status.
B) For Lady Macbeth, we can apply the concept of the superego, which
represents the internalized moral and ethical values of society. Lady
Macbeth’s guilt and madness can be seen as a result of her conflicted moral
values, as she encourages Macbeth to commit murder but then cannot live
with the consequences.
C) For the witches, we can apply the concept of the unconscious, which
represents the hidden, repressed desires and emotions that influence
behavior. The witches may represent Macbeth’s unconscious desires for
power and his fear of fate, as their prophecies both inspire him and lead to his
downfall.
3) Analyse the characters’ relationships and interactions through a psychoanalytic lens.
A) For example, we can analyze the power dynamics between Macbeth and Lady
Macbeth through the concept of the Oedipus complex, which suggests that
children have unconscious sexual desires for their parent of the opposite sex.
Macbeth’s relationship with Lady Macbeth can be seen as a manifestation of
his unresolved desires for power and dominance, as she encourages him to
fulfill his ambitions.
B) We can also analyze the role of guilt and repression in the characters’
behavior. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth both experience intense guilt and
struggle to repress their emotions, which ultimately leads to their downfall.
4) Interpret the themes and symbolism of the work through a psychoanalytic lens.
A) For example, we can interpret the blood imagery in Macbeth as a symbol of
guilt and repressed emotions. The recurring imagery of blood throughout the
play represents the characters’ inability to escape their guilt and the
consequences of their actions.
B) can also interpret the theme of fate and free will through a psychoanalytic
lens, as the characters’ unconscious desires and emotions play a key role in
determining their actions and outcomes.

Overall, applying psychoanalytic theory to a literary work like Macbeth can provide a deeper
understanding of the characters’ behavior, motivations, and conflicts, as well as the themes and
symbolism of the work.