A Psychological Analysis of Romeo and Juliet Essay -- William Shakespea

A Psychological Analysis of Romeo and JulietRomeo and Juliet was obviously not written to fit the psychoanalytic model, as the theories of Freud were not developed for centuries after Shakespeare. Shakespeare wrote to spiritual rebirth England, a culture so intemperately steeped in Christianity, that it would have blushed at the instinctual and sexual thrust of Freuds theory. However, in order to keep literature alive and relevant, a culture must continually reinterpret the themes and ideas of yesteryear works. While contextual readings assure cultural precision, often these readings guarantee the devastation of a particular work. Homers Iliad, a monument among continent works, is currently not as renowned as Romeo and Juliet because it is so heavily dependent on its cultural context. Just as writers have the familiarity to reinterpret works to make them more than relevant to their particular time, so to should commentators be allowed to criticize a work with new(a) ideas. F or all the blatant and covert sexual content of Shakespeares tends, they are in no way subscribing to a psychoanalytic construction. With that said, a psychoanalytic construction makes this play more relevant to modern readers, as psychoanalytic ideas are so pervasive they are either thoughtlessly accepted or flippantly rejected. Either way, Freudian ideas are a filter through which modern readers can understand the actions of Romeo and Juliet. The ideas used to interpret this play are not classically Freudian, but rather a more contemporary arrangement of psychodynamics as influenced by modern existential theory. The ideas of Ernest Becker, one of the more influential figures in the new psychoanalysis, are used throughout this psychological examination. self-annihilation is the doma... ...t life. Suicide is the most extreme manifestation of this fear of life. A more moderate manifestation of this fear is depression. Early in the play, Romeo is described as having depression li ke symptoms. As the love affair progresses, it becomes increasingly take a leak that Romeo can not handle life without Juliet. By the end of the play, he kills himself because he can no longer have Juliet. Romeos net act of suicide is not completely based on the finale of Juliet. The depression he exhibits at the onset of the play is already exhibiting his proneness to escape life. Works CitedBecker, Ernest. The Denial of Death. New York The Free Press, 1973.Cox, Marjorie C. Adolescent Processes in Romeo and Juliet. Psychoanalytic Review 63 (1976). 379-392.Faber, M.D. The Adolescent Suicides of Romeo and Juliet. Psychoanalytic Review 63, (1976). 169-181.