Hamlet: An Example Of Freud's Oedious Complex

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Hamlet Shakespeare’s play Hamlet has many complex characters. The main focal point is the Prince of Denmark Hamlet. His father has just died and his mother has remarried to his uncle. This spurs a chain of events that makes up one of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies. Many if the characters in Hamlet show psychological characteristics of insanity, and gender inequality. The main character Hamlet is an example of Freud’s Oedious Complex. Hamlet is furious at his mother for sleeping with Claudius. “She married. O, most wicked speed, to post with such dexterity to incestuous sheets!” (Shakespeare 1.2: 155). He craves the attention of his mother that she so willingly gives Claudius. Not only is he an example of the Oedipus complex he also has conflict with his ID, Ego, and superego. In Hamlet’s case his ID is more prominent. He thinks of only what he wants and the consequences that can follow. …show more content…

She is governed by he father and brother. Her father Dolonius forbids her to be with Hamlet whom she loves. Throughout the play Hamlet toys with her emotions. She is constantly being pulled in different directions at the same time. It is not until the death of her father that you see the deterioration of her sanity. “I hope all will be well. We must be patient, but I cannot but weep, to think they should lay him I’ th’ cold ground.” (Shakespeare 4.5: 60). Her insanity soon drives her to commit suicide. Two of Gertrude’s major character flaws are her poor judgment and her psychological struggle with her ID. She marries her deceased husband’s brother not long after his death. She is so consumed with her own wants and needs that she fails to sympathize with her own son. “I doubt it is no other but the main his father’s death o’erhasty marriage” (Shakespeare 2.2: 55). She sees no error in the decisions that she