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Psychoanalysis in The Tempest Explained

1) The document discusses how psychoanalytic theories by Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung relate to Shakespeare's play The Tempest. 2) It suggests that the character Caliban represents the uncontrolled, primitive side of human nature, as described by Freud. Meanwhile, Prospero symbolizes controlling and subduing this "id" part of oneself. 3) Productions of The Tempest have attempted psychoanalytic interpretations by depicting Ariel and Caliban as opposing aspects of Prospero's psyche, with mixed success. This highlights the challenges of portraying psychoanalytic concepts through performance.

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Elisia Zaawyal
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151 views6 pages

Psychoanalysis in The Tempest Explained

1) The document discusses how psychoanalytic theories by Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung relate to Shakespeare's play The Tempest. 2) It suggests that the character Caliban represents the uncontrolled, primitive side of human nature, as described by Freud. Meanwhile, Prospero symbolizes controlling and subduing this "id" part of oneself. 3) Productions of The Tempest have attempted psychoanalytic interpretations by depicting Ariel and Caliban as opposing aspects of Prospero's psyche, with mixed success. This highlights the challenges of portraying psychoanalytic concepts through performance.

Uploaded by

Elisia Zaawyal
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

How does psychoanalysis

relate to The Tempest


Livi, Vicki and Becca

Sigmund Freud
Freud argues that all
humans have a
savage side, this is
our most primitive
basic needs
personified.
Freud believed that
as we grow up we
learn to control this
other (dark) side of
human nature
In the Tempest,
Caliban could be
suggested to represent
this uncontrolled side
of human nature.

Coined the term


"Oedipus complex"
believed that the
Oedipus complex is
a desire for the
mother in both
sexes
childs identification
with the same-sex
parent is the
successful
resolution of the
Oedipus complex

Idealisation/
Imagination

Freud's theory of ID The Tempest


Despite Prospero's
punishments, his
strongest desires
fail to remain
within him

Prospero is the
only obstacle
between him
and the rape of
Miranda

Usually described
as bitter and
obsessed with
fulfilling sexual
desires

Caliba
n
Absence of his
mother

Feelings of
inadequacy

Oedipus
Complex

Superego

Evident only
when he does
not wish to
receive
Prosperos
physical
punishments

Caliban symbolises the part of human nature


that we as humans have learnt to subdue.
"Thou strok'st me and made much of me,
"Deservedly confined to this rock."

ARIEL
Just as one
has to confine the id to
the darker recesses of
the mind

CALIBAN

Psychoanalytic interpretations have


proved more difficult to depict on
stage.

1. Ron Daniels'Royal Shakespeare Companyproduction in 1982 both


attempted to depict Ariel and Caliban as opposing aspects of
Prospero's psyche. However neither was regarded as wholly
successful
2. "a dementedstage manageron a theatrical island suspended
between smouldering rage at his usurpation and unbridled glee at his
alternative ethereal power
3. Ariel was openly resentful of the control exercised byProspero.
Controversially, in the early performances of the run, Ariel spat at
Prospero, once granted his freedom.
4. Aunjanue Ellisas Ariel oppositePatrick Stewart's Prospero charged
the production with erotic tensions

Sigmund Freud/
Carl Gustav Jung
Prosperos desire for power and
control over the characters in the
play, stems from Freuds theory that
if one craves power, it is possibly
because he/she lacked it in childhood,
-

That he had no parents on which to


form an Oedipal complex and
knows only who his mother was
(nothing is mentioned of his father)
makes for interesting observations
on how he deals with sexuality.

He is otherwise all for anything


that will bring him pleasure.

The identification with the same-sex


parent is the successful resolution of the
Oedipus complex and of the Electra
complex; it proves key psychological
experience to developing a mature
sexual role and identity
The Electra complex, as
proposed by Carl Gustav Jung
- A girls psychosexual
competition with mother for
possession of father
- [Link]
ogy101/[Link]
- [Link]
s/104977

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