Freud's theories can be applied to Shakespeare's Hamlet. Sigmund Freud was actually the first person to attribute the Oedipus complex to Hamlet (Schaeffer). Hamlet is a prime example of an individual that suffers from the Oedipus complex. Hamlet's father was killed by his uncle Claudius, who then proceeded to marry Hamlet's mother and usurp the throne. Hamlet is thoroughly disgusted by his mother's "incestuous" behavior. He laments his father's death and despises his mother for her fickle nature. Hamlet is tormented by the thought of his mother's sexual relationship to Claudius. He explains how he feels about his mother's sudden marriage to Claudius:
"Why, she would hang on him
As if increase of appetite had grown
By what it fed on; and yet within a month--
Let me not think on't--Frailty, thy name is woman--
A little month, or ere those shoes were old
With which she follow'd my poor father's body
....
Within a month,
Ere yet the salt of unrighteous tears
Had left the flushing in her galled eyes,
She married--O most wicked speed! To post
With such dexterity to incestuous sheets!" (Act I scene II line 143)
Hamlet mentions Claudius' sexual actions toward Queen Gertrude, and is obviously enraged by the notion that such an unworthy individual holds the revered, honored title of king. In Freudian theory, there is ambiguity in the father figure. Freud believed that children often created "romances," where their current father is created by something greater (Dolloff, 2006). Hamlet is bereft of this romance, for his father, whose greatness amounts to Hyperion, is replaced by a "satyr" (line 140). He cannot identify with Claudius because of his nefarious actions, and Hamlet's frustrated rage prevents him from ever resolving his Oedipus complex. Hamlet is too vindictive to forgive Claudius for murdering his father; this resentment results in "'a murderous rage against [Claudius]'" (Brizee, 2013). Although Hamlet is bound by honor to avenge his father, his Oedipus complex results in Hamlet's delay in killing Claudius. He hesitates to act because Claudius represents Hamlet's innermost desires to sleep with Gertrude.
According to Freud’s model of the human mind, Hamlet’s desire to sleep with his mother stems from his id, while his desire to avenge his father’s death stems from his superego (Schaeffer). Claudius represents the id, while King Hamlet represents the superego, the part of his mind that aims to control his id. Claudius killed King Hamlet, meaning that the id is growing stronger and that Hamlet's task grows increasingly difficult. The strength of Hamlet's id is evident in Act III scene IV, as witnessed by his thorough obsession with his mother's sexuality. In this scene, Hamlet viciously attacks his mother and denounces her because of her poor decisions. He bitterly comments that she lives in the "rank sweat of an enseamed bed, stew'd in corruption, honeying and making love over the nasty sty" (Act III scene IV line 93). The entrance of King Hamlet puts Hamlet back on track with killing Claudius, for his superego reminds him that while Hamlet is "laps'd in time and passion," (line 107) he is distracted from his "purpose" (line 111). The graphic nature of Hamlet's demands, including his emphasis that his mother "confess [herself] to heaven" (line 151) by refraining from sexual activity with Claudius. Hamlet's adamant decision to deny Claudius satisfaction feeds Hamlet's id, and encourages him of the possibility that his repressed desires--his wish to sexually enjoy his mother--will be realized.
Only after Gertrude's death does Hamlet finally kill Claudius. Hamlet's desire to have sex with Gertrude died when the object of his desire, being Gertrude, died (Schaeffer).
Evidence of Hamlet's Oedipus complex is also evident in Act IV scene IV. After learning that Fortinbras waged war with Poland over "a little patch of ground, that hath in it no profit but the name" (Act IV scene IV line 18), Hamlet is upset that he has not enacted his revenge. He asks himself, "How stand I then,
That have a father kill'd, a mother stain'd,
Excitements of my reason and my blood,
And let all sleep, while to my shame I see
The imminent death of twenty thousand men
That, for a fantasy and trick of fame,
Go to their graves like beds ..." (Act IV scene IV line 56)
Hamlet has refrained from killing Claudius despite having the object of his desire tainted by Claudius and despite the fact that Claudius murdered Hamlet's father. Hamlet's id and superego are in agreement on murdering Claudius, for then justice will be served and Gertrude will be available.
It is difficult to prove if Freud's attribution of the Oedipal complex is truly appropriate for Hamlet, yet Hamlet's unconscious desire to sleep with Queen Gertrude is constantly betrayed by Hamlet's frustration with King Claudius' actions towards his mother. It appears that Hamlet is upset due to jealousy, but he attempts to assure not only his mother but also himself that he "must be cruel to be kind" ( Act III scene IV line 180). Hamlet is trying to convince himself that his agitated attack on his mother stems from his desire to look out for her and protect her virtue; Hamlet is actually unconsciously eliminating his other rival.
"Why, she would hang on him
As if increase of appetite had grown
By what it fed on; and yet within a month--
Let me not think on't--Frailty, thy name is woman--
A little month, or ere those shoes were old
With which she follow'd my poor father's body
....
Within a month,
Ere yet the salt of unrighteous tears
Had left the flushing in her galled eyes,
She married--O most wicked speed! To post
With such dexterity to incestuous sheets!" (Act I scene II line 143)
Hamlet mentions Claudius' sexual actions toward Queen Gertrude, and is obviously enraged by the notion that such an unworthy individual holds the revered, honored title of king. In Freudian theory, there is ambiguity in the father figure. Freud believed that children often created "romances," where their current father is created by something greater (Dolloff, 2006). Hamlet is bereft of this romance, for his father, whose greatness amounts to Hyperion, is replaced by a "satyr" (line 140). He cannot identify with Claudius because of his nefarious actions, and Hamlet's frustrated rage prevents him from ever resolving his Oedipus complex. Hamlet is too vindictive to forgive Claudius for murdering his father; this resentment results in "'a murderous rage against [Claudius]'" (Brizee, 2013). Although Hamlet is bound by honor to avenge his father, his Oedipus complex results in Hamlet's delay in killing Claudius. He hesitates to act because Claudius represents Hamlet's innermost desires to sleep with Gertrude.
According to Freud’s model of the human mind, Hamlet’s desire to sleep with his mother stems from his id, while his desire to avenge his father’s death stems from his superego (Schaeffer). Claudius represents the id, while King Hamlet represents the superego, the part of his mind that aims to control his id. Claudius killed King Hamlet, meaning that the id is growing stronger and that Hamlet's task grows increasingly difficult. The strength of Hamlet's id is evident in Act III scene IV, as witnessed by his thorough obsession with his mother's sexuality. In this scene, Hamlet viciously attacks his mother and denounces her because of her poor decisions. He bitterly comments that she lives in the "rank sweat of an enseamed bed, stew'd in corruption, honeying and making love over the nasty sty" (Act III scene IV line 93). The entrance of King Hamlet puts Hamlet back on track with killing Claudius, for his superego reminds him that while Hamlet is "laps'd in time and passion," (line 107) he is distracted from his "purpose" (line 111). The graphic nature of Hamlet's demands, including his emphasis that his mother "confess [herself] to heaven" (line 151) by refraining from sexual activity with Claudius. Hamlet's adamant decision to deny Claudius satisfaction feeds Hamlet's id, and encourages him of the possibility that his repressed desires--his wish to sexually enjoy his mother--will be realized.
Only after Gertrude's death does Hamlet finally kill Claudius. Hamlet's desire to have sex with Gertrude died when the object of his desire, being Gertrude, died (Schaeffer).
Evidence of Hamlet's Oedipus complex is also evident in Act IV scene IV. After learning that Fortinbras waged war with Poland over "a little patch of ground, that hath in it no profit but the name" (Act IV scene IV line 18), Hamlet is upset that he has not enacted his revenge. He asks himself, "How stand I then,
That have a father kill'd, a mother stain'd,
Excitements of my reason and my blood,
And let all sleep, while to my shame I see
The imminent death of twenty thousand men
That, for a fantasy and trick of fame,
Go to their graves like beds ..." (Act IV scene IV line 56)
Hamlet has refrained from killing Claudius despite having the object of his desire tainted by Claudius and despite the fact that Claudius murdered Hamlet's father. Hamlet's id and superego are in agreement on murdering Claudius, for then justice will be served and Gertrude will be available.
It is difficult to prove if Freud's attribution of the Oedipal complex is truly appropriate for Hamlet, yet Hamlet's unconscious desire to sleep with Queen Gertrude is constantly betrayed by Hamlet's frustration with King Claudius' actions towards his mother. It appears that Hamlet is upset due to jealousy, but he attempts to assure not only his mother but also himself that he "must be cruel to be kind" ( Act III scene IV line 180). Hamlet is trying to convince himself that his agitated attack on his mother stems from his desire to look out for her and protect her virtue; Hamlet is actually unconsciously eliminating his other rival.
In some editions of Hamlet, sexual undertones are evident in Gertrude and Hamlet's relationship.
The picture to the left depicts The Shakespeare Theater Company's production of Hamlet.
The picture to the left depicts The Shakespeare Theater Company's production of Hamlet.