The Impact of Shakespearean Literature on Freud's Psychoanalytic Conceptualisations

Abstract

This dissertation aims to investigate the consequent influence of William Shakespeare’s literary compositions on Sigmund Freud’s theoretical and functional formulations. Broaching Freud’s deep-seated literary interest, the research work attempts to contextualise it within his scientific articulations. Moreover, the study undertakes an analytical approach which contrasts and compares Shakespeare’s rhetorical techniques, implied in his drama and poetry, to Freud’s later scientific research trajectory. Following this pattern, the research is divided into two chapters and starts by addressing the constitutive elements of both literature and psychology within their specific scholarly territory. The second chapter proposes a more focused perspective which aims to establish the connection between the two major figures of both disciplines. Bearing in mind Shakespeare’s ingenuous manipulation of literature to illustrate his nuanced understanding of the human nature, the findings showcase a profound impact of literature on the psychoanalyst’s theoretical conclusions and methodological applications, as the writer’s literary interpretations and the devices used to reveal it constitute the structural foundation of Freud’s psychoanalytic deconstruction. Beyond the specific research initiatives, the significance of this study lies in its attempt to lessen the gap between science and literature.