Installment:2
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| Pictured above; Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung |
Batman’s psychological and philosophical complexity is one
of the factors that make him one of the most popular characters of all time.
Although Sigmund Freud is generally thought of as a psychologist, his theories
and concepts have roots in philosophy. His concept of the Id, Ego, and Superego
are seen in Batman’s internal struggle to fight for justice without crossing
the line and becoming evil himself; all the while balancing a social life as
the billionaire philanthropist that society expects.
One way to look at it is
that Batman’s Id could be seen as his carnal urges for vengeance rather than
justice. This is his violently destructive and impulsive side of his
personality that would rather just kill the Joker and get it over with. His
super-ego can be seen as his sense of justice and his intense desire to do the
right thing and protect Gotham City. Batman’s ego is the compromise between the
two. By fighting crime as Batman, Bruce is able to satisfy the carnal urges of
the Id while maintaining the ideals of his super-ego. Granted, he does not
handle this struggle in the healthiest of ways, he does keep Gotham safe. The
best example of this is that although he has no qualms with harming and maiming
criminals; he refuses to kill even though more lives would be saved in the long
run if he did. Another way too look at it is seen in the link below.
Batman's psychological and philosophical views are complex and deep. This brief Freudian approach is only the tip of the iceberg.
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