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A Psychoanalysis: Freud’s Psychological in “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare

 

Abstract

In this study, the author will focus on examining how aspects of psychology are reflected in the personality of the main character. The purpose of this study is to analyze Hamlet William Shakespeare's drama, specifically the development of the personality of the main character based on the Psychoanalytic Perspective. This research focuses on the main character, namely Hamlet. The data collection method is a qualitative method. Data Collection Techniques are taking notes, whereas Data Analysis techniques in this study are descriptive analyzes. Based on the psychological analysis, it is clear that in the drama Hamlet Shakespeare describes psychological phenomena experienced by the main character, Hamlet.

Keywords: Hamlet, William Shakespeare, Psychological analysis, Sigmund Freud.

 

1.     Introduction

Hamlet is one of William Shakespeare's most famous plays written in 1599 - 1601. The drama sets in the Kingdom of Denmark, which tells how Prince Hamlet took revenge on his uncle Claudius, first for killing the old King Hamlet, Hamlet's father, and second for succeeding to the throne and married Gertrude, Hamlet's mother. This drama clearly illustrates madness, sadness, and explores the themes of revenge, betrayal, and moral corruption. Hamlet is Shakespeare's longest drama and among the most powerful and influential plays in English. During Shakespeare's lifetime, this drama was one of the most popular works. William Shakespeare is the greatest playwright in England. His birth was not registered, but legend put him on April 23, 1564, partly because April 23 was the day of his death 52 years later. He attended a local grammar school, the King’s New School which is managed by teaching staff who have an Oxford Degrees degree. He did not attend university, which is unusual at this time because university education is provided for prospective pastors and is not a mind-opening experience. His early works were mainly based on great Greek and Roman works such as Seneca and Plautus. Hamlet was written in 1604 when the themes of jealousy and sadness were created in this era. William Shakespeare's other works are Othello, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, King Lear, and Julius Caesar.

The significants of this research are divided into two, namely theoretical and practical. Theoretically, this research is proposed to contribute to the research of literature relating to William Shakespeare's Hamlet. Practically this research providing a deeper understanding of psychoanalysis. The purpose of this study is to analyze drama based on a psychoanalytic perspective. While the statement of the problem from this study is "How are psychological aspects reflected in Hamlet's drama, especially in the main character in the drama?". Researchers use the Psychoanalytic Perspective to analyze this drama. In analyzing the main character, namely Hamlet, the writer uses Freud's psychoanalysis. It is thought that psychoanalysis can explore personality disorders caused by past experiences. This research is descriptive qualitative research, which refers to research based on qualitative data taken from William Shakespeare's Hamlet drama. The object of research was taken from William Shakespeare's Hamlet, which contained a series of drama descriptions. Here, the author tries to analyze the psychological aspects that appear in the main character. The main data source of this research is the drama script itself, Hamlet William Shakespeare's drama. In addition, researchers also sought author biographical data, William Shakespeare, through a website on the internet and other resources that support analysis. The data collection method is library research by collecting, recording, and selecting primary data. The data analysis technique used by the writer is a descriptive technique, in which the writer interprets the text and content related to the psychological condition of the main character.

2.     Theoretical Framework

In analyzing this research, the writer uses psychoanalytic theory by Sigmund Freud. Psychoanalysis is "a technique for investigating a person's unconscious thoughts and feelings" (Hjelle and Ziegler, 1992: 86). Based on his theory, he divided the human brain into three parts: conscious, preconscious and unconscious, Freud claimed that "psychoanalysis aims and achieves nothing more than unconscious discoveries in mental life" (Freud in Pervin, 1984: 71). According to psychoanalytic theory, psychic life can be described in the level of awareness of phenomena. Consciousness relates to phenomena that we are aware of at a given moment, awareness of phenomena that we can realize if we pay attention to them, and unconsciousness of phenomena that we are not aware of, and cannot realize except under special circumstances (Pervin, 1984: 71).

3.     Discussion

Based on psychological theories by Sigmund Freud, Oedipal complex, the author analyzes the main characters in the drama, there are three aspects based on psychological theories by Freud, namely Id, Superego, and Ego. This study tries to discuss it and connect it all. According to Booker "The relationship between drama and Freud's three parts with one's personality is very clear. The childish mind is basically the source of the Id; the father's authority, which triggered the Oedipal crisis. It became the main source of the Superego by limiting the Id, desires based on the mother."

Hamlet's first id began when he wanted to prove what his father's ghost said that Claudius was his father's killer. Hamlet meets and talks with her father's ghost. The ghost said that Claudius killed him while he was sleeping. The ghost said that Hamlet must take revenge on Claudius as the killer. As a loyal son, Hamlet wanted to do what his father said. So, Hamlet tries to get the truth about whether Claudius is the real killer or not. The second id occurs when Hamlet has a plan to test Claudius who is suspected of being his father's killer by making drama in the castle. Hamlet also wants to leave Ophelia whom she loves, because she doesn't want Ophelia to know that she is pretending to be angry. Hamlet will know the response of Claudius after watching a drama made by Hamlet. Hamlet believes that the drama will prove whether Claudius is the real killer or not. Hamlet's biggest id happened when he finally found out that Claudius was the real killer of his father. Hamlet learned of Claudius's reaction after watching the drama in the castle. Hamlet has plans to take revenge on Claudius as his father's killer because he is loyal to his father.

Then, Hamlet's superego occurred when he wanted to prove what his father's ghost said that Claudius was his father's killer. Claudius is his uncle. Hamlet must respect him as his uncle and also as his mother's husband. Hamlet is also smart. He knew the ghost wasn't real. The ghost might pretend to be his father's spirit and tell lies, so he shouldn't believe the ghost’s word. Hamlet's biggest superego happened when he finally found out that Claudius was the real killer of his father. Hamlet has plans to take revenge on Claudius as his father's killer because he is loyal to his father. However, Hamlet still doubts whether he should take revenge or not because Claudius is his uncle and has become his mother's husband. He did not want to make his mother sad if Claudius died, and he also knew that killing was prohibited. Hamlet's ego happened when he meets and talks with her father's ghost. Hamlet is very clever; he knew the ghost wasn't real, so he couldn't believe what the ghost said. But, Hamlet is still on his plan to get the real killer from his father by pretending to be angry. Hamlet's greatest ego happened when he finally found out that Claudius was the real killer of his father. Hamlet is loyal to his father, so he must take revenge on his father's killer, Claudius. Hamlet still doubts whether he should take revenge or not because Claudius is his uncle and has become his mother's husband. He did not want to make his mother sad if Claudius died, and he also knew that killing was prohibited. But, Hamlet still continues on his plans to take revenge on Claudius as a murderer even though he has problems when he finally Hamlet makes a big mistake when he stabs Polonius. When Hamlet tried to convince his mother that Claudius was his father's killer, Polonius followed them and hid behind a wall tapestry. When Hamlet saw the rug moving, he stabbed it and killed Polonius, thinking he was Claudius.

4.     Conclusion

Based on the psychoanalytic analysis, it is evident that in this drama, Shakespeare wants to convey a psychological phenomenon where an individual is always hesitant in handling problems. Using Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory, researchers analyzed Hamlet's personality as the main character. Hamlet is hesitant to take revenge on his father's killer. The superego is bigger than the id and the ego. Hamlet always has a justification in every action, because he does not want to make mistakes in his decisions. Through this drama, Shakespeare wants to express criticism that doubts can bring some harm to himself and others around him.

Reference

Fahas, Rida. 2012. “Tragic Hesitation in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet: A Psychoanalytic Perspective”. Thesis. English Department. School of Teacher Training and Education. Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta. Surakarta

https://shakespeareandhamlet.weebly.com/freudian-lens-analysis.html. Sigmund Freud look at Hamlet (accessed on June 4, 2020)

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