Sigmund Freud takes on Shakespeare with his analysis of the epic play Macbeth. In reviewing an analysis of a literary work it is crucial to understand the background of the author. Freud is generally recognized as one of the most influential and authoritative thinkers of the twentieth century and has earned the title “Father of Psychoanalysis”. As a science, psychoanalysis is devoted to the study of human, physiological functioning and behavior. Through methods such as free association, dream interpretation and examination of transference, Freud investigated the unconscious mind. It seems natural that he would try to analyze, or rather “psychoanalyze” the main characters in Macbeth.
Freud is particularly intrigued with the character of Lady Macbeth and her motivations to commit murder. Freud feels that the underlying factor that motivated Lady Macbeth was her overwhelming ambition. She wishes to become queen will do anything to achieve this goal. Lady Macbeth even gives up her femininity in order to repress her feelings of guilt. She wishes to take on masculine qualities so that she possesses the strength to carry out the evil act. Before the murder is committed she possesses no emotion and is able to manipulate anyone into doing anything. As soon as the crime has been completed her behavior makes a drastic change.
After the murder has been committed and after Lady Macbeth achieves her goal her behavior begins to transform. She is unsure of how she should respond after carrying out the evil deed. All of her energy has been focused so long on completing the murder that she never had time to think about what to do when it was completed. Freud is trying to figure out what has caused this sudden change in character. After the murder she starts to feel remorse and wishes to “undo the deed which cannot be undone” (Freud). Lady Macbeth questions her actions and does not feel content after obtaining her desire. She begins to lose her sense of...