Analysis of the Psychological Background of the Female Characters in Shakespearean Dramas (In Relation to Hamlet, Macbeth & Othello)

Abstract

In Sigmund Freud’s Psychological Theory, he compares a human mind to a floating glacier. The upper part of the glacier is called the “Super ego” and the submerged part is termed the “Ego” While the part which cannot be seen to the naked eye is known as “ID”. In Psychology the bond between the mother and son is described by the use of the term Oedipus complex. This describes the sexual attraction of a son towards his mother; when a baby boy is born he is attracted to his mother by nature. He even dislikes the approach of his father towards his mother which can even develop in to a situation where he could even kill his own father. The Electra complex is the opposite of the Oedipus complex and explains the sexual attraction of a baby girl to her father. In discussing the psychological background of the female characters in the above-mentioned dramas, the characters of Gertrude, Ophelia, Macbeth, Desdemona, and Emilia are important. The character of Gertrude in “Hamlet” fluctuates between Prince Hamlet and king Claudius and she lives the memories of the dead king and king Claudius. But she faces a pathetic death at the end of the drama. The character of the Ophelia fluctuates between her father Polonius and her lover Prince Hamlet and faces a tragic death at the end. In the drama of Macbeth, lady Macbeth gives her fullest effort to make her husband the king whereas she too faces the pathetic destiny. At the beginning of the drama “Othello” Desdemona elopes with her lover Othello challenging her father Brabantio. Finally, Lago’s deceitful Atule and Emilia who is a servant at the beginning of the drama challenges domestic violence happens to be deal because of the same cause trap her.