Anima/Animus and Wise Old Man in Six Characters in Search of an Author

Ali Jamalinesari

doi:10.7575/aiac.alls.v.6n.3p.33

Abstract

The word ‘archetype’ is derived from the Greek words arche meaning ‘first’ and type meaning ‘imprint’ or ‘pattern’. Actually, the archetypes are like deposits of experiences that have been frequently repeated in the history of human beings. They are present in all humans from birth. They can be represented in dreams, fantasies, or as a story, as a pattern or image such as mandala, or as an archetypal or mythical character. Jung believes that the archetypes are not memories of past experiences but are forms without content that represent a certain kind of perception and action. They offer a kind of preparation to produce similar mythical ideas again and again. Jung discovers that, since we have different cultures with different people, we have different kinds of archetypes – some known, many others yet to be discovered. In this regards, in the followings the archetypes Anima/Animus and Wise Old Man are discussed in Six Characters in Search of an Author to show how the question of reality, illusion and the oxymoron illusive reality as a major theme haunts Pirandello`s play. Keywords: Jung, Anima, Animus, Wise Old Man, Pirandello

Highlights

Carl Gustav Jung, born in July 1875- June 1961, is a Swiss psychoanalyst and the founder of the Jungian psychology
Walker (2002) states: For a man who is unaware of his feminine side, the anima can play a negative role of archetypal temptress and deceiver- a Lorelei, a Belle Dame Sans Merci, a Calypso- subtly luring him into confusion and despair [...]
Based on Jung’s theory, anima is a feminine aspect of the man, who helps the man to achieve his self

Summary

Introduction

Carl Gustav Jung, born in July 1875- June 1961, is a Swiss psychoanalyst and the founder of the Jungian psychology. Dreams and fantasies are important for Jung He discovers that most of his patients speak about different kinds of dreams and images, which he understands, are similar to each other, universal and can be found in most stories and myths. Walker (2002) states: For a man who is unaware of his feminine side, the anima can play a negative role of archetypal temptress and deceiver- a Lorelei, a Belle Dame Sans Merci, a Calypso- subtly luring him into confusion and despair [...] She can be a helpful figure, like Circe in the Odyssey; she can send a man on a journey into the depth of the unknown. She is unable to accept him as a husband because of her desire for the social status that marriage with Edgar Linton can give her. (p.56)

The Wise Old Man

Discussion

Wise Old Man in Six Characters in Search of an Author

Conclusion