Shattered Selves: Interpreting Mental Health through Shakespearean Lens

Author(s): Adnan Shakur

Publication Date: June 29, 2024

Abstract

This research paper delves into Shakespeare's portrayal of psychologically imbalanced characters during the Elizabethan era, a time when psychiatry was in its infancy. Despite the limited understanding of mental health in that era, Shakespeare's nuanced depiction of characters grappling with psychological turmoil has left an indelible mark on literature and continues to resonate in modern psychiatry. Through a comprehensive analysis of selected plays, this paper examines how Shakespeare's characters exhibit symptoms akin to various mental illnesses recognized today. This study elucidates Shakespeare's keen insight into the human psyche and its complexities by exploring themes of madness, guilt, and existential angst. The findings underscore Shakespeare's role as a pioneer in depicting psychological states, bridging the gap between Elizabethan drama and contemporary psychiatry.