29th Annual Student Research Conference
Hamlet's Oedipus Complex
Gail E. Hulser
Dr. Hena Ahmad, Faculty Mentor
The Oedipus Complex is a fundamental principle of Freudian Psychology, the desire of the son to kill his father and marry his mother. Hamlet's hesitation to kill King Claudius, argue some psychoanalysts, can be seen as "proof" that Hamlet suffers from an Oedipus Complex. By offering for and against perspectives of Shakespearean scholars who have debated the issue, and drawing on specific evidence from the play, this essay will attempt to demonstrate why seeing Hamlet's relationship with his mother, Gertrude, as suggestive of the Oedipus Complex is problematic.
Keywords: Shakespeare, Hamlet, Oedipus, Freud , Psychoanalytic
Topic(s):English
Psychology
Theatre
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: -4
Location: MG 1000
Time: 8:45