Psychoanalysis of Medea
Title: Libido: Medea’s Real Force
ABSTRACT
In this study, Medea by “Euripides” is approached from a psychoanalytic perspective. It focuses on the theory of Freud that Libido plays an important role in the character building of an individual and that actions of individuals are motivated and controlled by it. The motivation of Medea’s actions does not come from the outside circumstances but arise from her libido. All her actions are analyzed to bring a somewhat clear picture of her psychology. She murders her children after a lot of thinking because of the conflicts hatching in her mind. The movement of the unconscious of Medea has been highlighted. Her libido transforms into ego when her libido object is taken from her. She loses the ability to judge right from wrong. This perspective of Medea brings out the unique dramatic art of “Euripides” in the ancient Greece.
Ahmad Aqeel Sarwar
Professor Ayesha
Classical Drama
31st March’2012
Libido: Medea’s Real Force
Medea is a domestic tragedy by Euripides depicting the psychological implications because of grief that inflate the misery of a barbarian woman Medea. A close study of the mind of Medea shows that there are certain psychological constraints which play a vital role in all of her actions. The extremist actions of Medea are not driven by her rage and grief but by her libido.
Freud explains libido as: “libido is a term used in the theory of instincts for describing the dynamic manifestations of sexuality. It is difficult to say anything of the behavior of Libido in thee id and super-ego. Everything that we know about it relates to the ego, in which the whole available amount of libido is at first stored up. Libido participates in every instinctual manifestation, but not everything in that manifestation is libido.” (Freud, Dictionary of Psychoanalysis) It shows that libido is related to ego and its manifestation is instinctual. A strong libido can be observed in the character of Medea which manifests itself in her
ABSTRACT
In this study, Medea by “Euripides” is approached from a psychoanalytic perspective. It focuses on the theory of Freud that Libido plays an important role in the character building of an individual and that actions of individuals are motivated and controlled by it. The motivation of Medea’s actions does not come from the outside circumstances but arise from her libido. All her actions are analyzed to bring a somewhat clear picture of her psychology. She murders her children after a lot of thinking because of the conflicts hatching in her mind. The movement of the unconscious of Medea has been highlighted. Her libido transforms into ego when her libido object is taken from her. She loses the ability to judge right from wrong. This perspective of Medea brings out the unique dramatic art of “Euripides” in the ancient Greece.
Ahmad Aqeel Sarwar
Professor Ayesha
Classical Drama
31st March’2012
Libido: Medea’s Real Force
Medea is a domestic tragedy by Euripides depicting the psychological implications because of grief that inflate the misery of a barbarian woman Medea. A close study of the mind of Medea shows that there are certain psychological constraints which play a vital role in all of her actions. The extremist actions of Medea are not driven by her rage and grief but by her libido.
Freud explains libido as: “libido is a term used in the theory of instincts for describing the dynamic manifestations of sexuality. It is difficult to say anything of the behavior of Libido in thee id and super-ego. Everything that we know about it relates to the ego, in which the whole available amount of libido is at first stored up. Libido participates in every instinctual manifestation, but not everything in that manifestation is libido.” (Freud, Dictionary of Psychoanalysis) It shows that libido is related to ego and its manifestation is instinctual. A strong libido can be observed in the character of Medea which manifests itself in her
Bibliography: Euripides. Ten Plays by Euripides. Trans. Moses and McLean,John Hades. New York: Bantam Books, 2006. Freud, Sigmund. A General Introduction to Psycho-analysis. Trans. Joan Riviere. New York: Garden City Publishing Company, Inc., 1943. —. Dictionary of Psychoanalysis. 1963. —. The Basic Writings of Sigmund Freud. Ed. Dr. Brill. Trans. Dr. Brill. Vol. The Sexual Aberrations. New York: Random House, Inc., 1938. Hall, Calvin. S. A Premier of Freudian Psychology. London: Mentor Book, 1954. Jung, C.G. The Portable Jung. Ed. Joseph Campbell. New York: Penguin, 1971. Lodge, David and Wood, Nigel. Modern Criticism and Theory. Pearson, 2007. Patricia, B. Salzman-Mitchell. A Web of Fantasies: Gaze, Image and Gender in Ovid 's Metamorphoses. Ohio: Ohio State University, 2005.