Wagner and Lohengrin, a psychoanalytic study

Journal/Book: Psychiatric Journal of the University of Ottawa. 1978; 3: 39-49.

Abstract: If it is assumed that artists use the creative process to work through early developmental conflicts, one may expect the constellation of early object relationships to be reflected in their products. In the present article, an attempt is made to show how such was the case with Richard Wagner. It is hypothesized that confusion about the identity of his real father was reflected in the nature of his paternal introject, and that this confusion is demonstrated in his operas. Wagner's handling of the occasion of the myth of the birth of a hero in his opera Lohengrin is used to demonstrate this. Wagner's early background, the data indicating his own confusion about his father's identity, and certain aspects of his hypothesized early oedipal conflict are discussed. The Lohengrin myth is analyzed with emphasis on Wagner's modifications as they appear in his opera and inferences are made as to how the opera reflects certain aspects of his early familial object relations and oedipal conflicts. (18 ref)

Note: psychoanalytical interpretation; oedipal conflict in early development of R. Wagner & oedipal resolution attempt in his opera "Lohengrin"

Keyword(s): Artists ; psychohistory ; psychoanalytic interpretation; oedipal complex; music ; drama

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