Hamlet is a play that can be related to the Oedipus complex. Hamlet has thoughts in his head that are almost exactly to Oedipus. Much like Oedipus, Hamlet is a tragic character, because he is unable to sort through his feelings and resolve them. Although Hamlet’s feelings seem strange, one must conclude that they have been shaped by the events in his life and they have surfaced due to the circumstances that he faced. William Shakespeare stated, "Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind; and therefore is winged Cupid painted blind." Even though this wasn’t stated in Hamlet, it sure fits to the play. Hamlet is blinded by what he truly feels since his mind is in shock. Therefore, if Sigmund Freud’s theories are to be believed, then all men alike including Hamlet and Oedipus unconsciously suffer from the same dilemma

Hamlet does suffer from the Oedipus complex, which is based on the works of Sigmund Freud. There are different concepts on the Oedipus complex. Sigmund Freud was the one who created the idea in 1897, but others have critiqued it. Freud believed that libido, sexual energy, was blocked by outside forces which caused the start of the Oedipus complex. This usually starts around the age of three for boys, since this is when the boy’s attention focuses on his penis. This sexual energy causes him to have uncontrollable feelings for his mother, in turn hating his father. The boy feels he needs all the mother’s attention and care (Bhugra 71). Alfred Alder, a disciple of Freud, adds a few ideas to the Oedipus complex. His ideas state that a child has been pampered all of his life and feels he suddenly might be booted out of the family circle. The mother has done the sole pampering in the family so that is where the child sexual desires go to. Kissing and feeling the mother is explained more in Alder’s ideas (Mullahy 126). This can also apply to Hamlet, since he may feel his mother will have no more purpose for him. She has found a new husband, so that might mean she is moving on to better things in life other than Hamlet.

Throughout Hamlet, there are several hints that the young prince suffers from the Oedipus complex. Claudius is quoted, "The queen his mother / Lives almost by his looks" (IV.vii.11-12). This reveals a sense of closeness between Hamlet and his mother. This also shows that Hamlet is needed in his mother’s life. Hamlet does love his mother, but early in the play he falls in love with Ophelia. A critic states, “His cruelly gross mistreatment of Ophelia is a deflection of his disgust at his mother's being lecherous, unfaithful in her love for him” (“Freudian Criticism”). Hamlet lost the love of Ophelia, so he turns to Gertrude to fulfill those desires. Hamlet could have seen similar qualities between Ophelia and Gertrude. Hamlet’s f

Some topics in this essay:
Hamlet Act, Uncle Iv40-41, Sigmund Freud, Throughout Hamlet, Claudius Hamlet, Karen Horney, Alfred Alder, Relating Shakespeare’s, William Shakespeare, Gertrude Hamlet, oedipus complex, mother hamlet, ophelia gertrude, kill father, claudius hamlet, life hamlet, mind winged cupid, gertrude hamlet, uncle claudius, hamlet mother, love gertrude, cupid painted blind, suffer oedipus complex, winged cupid painted, oedipus complex hamlet,