Question

Which of the following human behaviour(s) is/are important to a Freudian psychoanalytical study of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet?

• A. Art of speaking
• B. Changes in emotional states
• C. Neurotic behaviour
• D. Merry-making

Hint:

When applying Freudian analysis, focus on the character’s unconscious desires, emotional contradictions, and inner conflicts. Hamlet's hesitation to act can be seen as a manifestation of repressed guilt and internalized conflict.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B, C

Step 1: Understanding Freudian psychoanalysis.
Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic theory emphasizes unconscious desires, repressed memories, and the influence of early experiences on adult behavior. When studying a character like Hamlet through a Freudian lens, the focus is on understanding internal conflicts, emotional turmoil, and psychological trauma.

Step 2: Analyzing the options.
- (A) Art of speaking: While Hamlet’s soliloquies are central to the play, the art of speaking itself is not the focus of Freudian analysis. Instead, psychoanalysis examines what is hidden beneath the surface of speech—such as Hamlet’s internal conflicts and desires.
- (B) Changes in emotional states: Hamlet’s emotional shifts throughout the play, from grief and rage to indecision and despair, are significant in a Freudian reading. These changes reflect his inner psychological conflict and the repression of his desires, such as the Oedipus complex (wanting to replace his father and marry his mother).
- (C) Neurotic behaviour: Hamlet’s behavior throughout the play can be analyzed as neurotic, particularly in his inability to act decisively, his emotional outbursts, and his existential questioning. Freud would likely see Hamlet as a character struggling with repressed desires, guilt, and an overwhelming sense of helplessness.
- (D) Merry-making: This is not a central concern of Freudian psychoanalysis. While the play does feature moments of lighter tone, the focus in a psychoanalytic study would be on Hamlet’s darker, more repressed emotions rather than moments of merriment.

Step 3: Conclusion.
The most relevant Freudian behaviors for analyzing Hamlet are his changes in emotional states and his neurotic behavior, making (B) and (C) the correct answers.