Psychoanalysis often consists of different approaches, and the same topic or work can be seen from various perspectives. For example, William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet tells the story of the titular characters who belong to rivaling households. This play explores the topic of forbidden love, as the main characters never get what they want due to their circumstances. The following text will review it from Jung’s, Freud’s, and Lacan’s theories.
Sigmund Freud’s perspective of the psyche is actively tied to sexual desire and the three aspects of one’s personality. These aspects are id, ego, and superego, and they have a significant effect on a person’s actions and motivations (Studious Guy, 2021). Romeo represents a classic example of one’s id prevailing over the other aspects, as he is rather impulsive and emotional. Juliet and Friar Laurence, on the other hand, have more fluctuating versions of these aspects. As soon as he first meets her, he forgets about his prior unrequited feelings for Rosaline and wants to be with the Capulet daughter. The young man triggers a conflict between her id, ego and superego, as she is aware of the rivalry; however, she desires to be with Romeo against all odds.
There is a very interesting similarity between Juliet and Friar Laurence, as both start experiencing the domination of their id over their superego and ego. Laurence is an even stronger example of that, as he poses as the mentor for the two youths; however, when he views an opportunity to use them as a way to help their families reconcile, the man agrees to preserve Romeo and Juliet’s bond and unite them with marriage (Shakespeare, 1597). At first, it seems that under the influence of their relationship, the young man becomes more rational, as he refuses to fight with Tybalt. Unfortunately, this is instantly disproven after Romeo murdering him as revenge, being banished and him ultimately taking his life, causing Juliet’s demise as well. Perhaps, if their superego had dominated, their lives would have taken a different turn, and Laurence’s goal would have been achieved without losses.
Carl Jung’s views are not as heavily reliant on sexual desires, as they are on one’s life force. He believed that the psyche’s main goal was achieving individuation, where one becomes independent from the collective unconscious, evolves into a mature and harmonious individual, and develops their true identity (GoodTherapy, 2018). The collective unconscious is formed with the help of symbols, patterns and situations related to archetypes. At the beginning of the story, Romeo represents a blend between the Rebel and the Lover, as he is irrational but appreciates love (Exploring Your Mind, 2020). Juliet seems uninterested in this concept before she meets him and is usually more rational, being the Sage. Friar Laurence is the classic example of the Caregiver, as he attempts to guide the youths through this situation.
Unfortunately, this relationship creates a conflict between the counterparts of their archetypes and deconstructs their Animus and Anima. For Juliet, her rationality and sensibility become her Persona, while in Romeo’s case it is his prioritization of thinking before acting (Studio Binder, 2022). Irrationality is completely atypical of Friar Laurence, as he attempts to protect the teenagers from their demise and fails under the influence of his wish to bring peace to the two rivalling families. Juliet becomes more impulsive, threatening to die by suicide in case she is married to Paris. Romeo attempts to conceal this side of his personality, as he tries to find peace between himself and his wife’s cousin. Alas, Romeo’s Persona is the first to collapse, as his Shadow prevails and ultimately results in Tybalt’s, his and Juliet’s death. Thus, they do not achieve individuation, as their lives and personality become disorganized, and meet an abrupt end.
Jacques Lacan’s views triggered discussions of one’s desire and its inattainability. While most people eventually find peace with this gap, the characters in the story do not. In the play, Romeo constantly seeks love for some unknown reason and there is always something standing in his way. Lacan believed that one’s desire is the other individual’s desire (Psychiatric Times, 2018). Whatever the two were seeking in love, whether it is stability, the ideal partner or the sensation that follows it, they never actually find it. This is because Romeo’s vengeful murder of Tybalt is followed by a chain of events that ultimately becomes their obstacle to achieving that unconscious desire. Unfortunately, the characters are not at peace with this loss, as the two eventually meet their untimely death as a result. Regarding Friar Laurence, it can be presumed that while his goal of making the families reconcile has been achieved, he never truly achieves his desire, just like the two teenagers.
In conclusion, the story of Romeo and Juliet receives different perceptions when viewed by the lens of Jung’s, Lacan’s and Freud’s theories. From Freud’s perspective, the characters’ problems can be perceived as the result of a conflict between their superego, id and ego. Romeo is the first one never to find harmony between the three aspects, while Juliet and Laurence develop a conflict with those moments due to his relationship with her. Jung’s beliefs are centered on the person becoming independent from the collective unconscious and evolving into a harmonious individual. This never happens to the three people, as the characters’ lives and personalities become disorganized and dishevelled under the influence of their circumstances. Finally, from Lacan’s perspective, desire is something that is unconscious and unattainable. While many people find peace with the gap presented by it, Romeo, Juliet and Laurence do not, which results in the death of the teenagers and the sorrow of the Friar.
References
Exploring Your Mind. (2020). The 12 jungian archetypes. Exploring your mind. Web.
GoodTherapy. (2018). Jungian psychotherapy. GoodTherapy – Find the Right Therapist. Web.
Psychiatric Times. (2018). Jacques Lacan: The best and least known psychoanalyst. Web.
StudioBinder. (2022). Jungian archetypes explained for writers. Web.
Studious Guy. (2021). Freud’s psychoanalytic theories explained. StudiousGuy – Your Study Buddy. Web.