Why We Should Overhear Hamlet  by Reading out Loud His Soliloquies: This Will Facilitate Us to Know Ourselves Better and See Our Blind Spots  

By Christopher Eriksson, PhD

Introduction & Background

Using Adlerian psychology and specifically, Adler’s concept of gemeinschaftsgefühl, Eriksson (2022, Phoenix X+01) has illustrated how cultivating a heightened feeling of belonging and community can be personally transformative for all of us, leading us on to the emergence of a new, more creative Self. In Shakespeare’s case, this new and more universal Self inspires the plays, being described by Shakespeare in Sonnet 39 as the better part of me. The Fair Youth of the early sonnets is thus seen as referring to this new, rejuvenated creative Self, and not to some outer person. 

Through the insights of Jung’s Process of Individuation and the writings of renowned physicist David Bohm on the creative process, Shakespeare’s first new creative stirrings surely described by him as fairest creatures in Sonnet 1 that he wants more of, are seen as emerging into the bard’s conscious mind through his more receptive feminine side, the anima.

Hamlet’s Wild Detachment and Choice
"To Be or Not to Be: to continue to be the clever, bookish, intelligent prince or to be Courageous, Caring and Helpful to Others

In his book, How to Read and Why, Literature Scholar Harold Bloom describes Hamlet’s wild detachment and sees it as another of the Prince’s quests for freedom, freedom from Elsinore and from the world (2000, 203 - 217). To this may be added the social “freedom” in practice from having to consider anybody else, as he shows no interest in talking with others apart from maybe the Ghost. As Bloom says, it’s all theatre, his theatre, and the theatre is inside Hamlet’s mind. Yet it is clearly for our educational benefit too as Shakespeare writes it for us as his audience when we read the play or see the actual theatre.

Bluvshtein, (2021) in an article on the benefits of mindfulness, relates the outcomes of facing a problem and overcoming it (or not) to the famous soliloquy (one of seven) from Shakespeare’s Hamlet (Act 3, Scene 1):

“To be or not to be, that is the question, whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or to take arms against a sea of troubles, and by opposing end them?”

Those who decide they cannot face their challenge, suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, and thereby forfeit and lose a sense of belonging and feeling that they have their place in life. Others, through standing up to their troubles, overcome them and grow. They “take arms against a sea of troubles and by opposing, end them.” (Bluvshtein, 2021).

Quoting mindfulness as: “the awareness that arises from paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgmentally” and reviewing it as a process of self-inquiry, Bluvshtein advances its cause in counselling by advocating for using metaphors whereby we are able to separate ourselves from our thoughts and look in, as it were, at ourselves. Of course, Hamlet is separated or detached from his feelings for others, and not from his thoughts.  As Nietzsche recognized and Bloom points out, Hamlet’s malaise is not that he thinks too much, but that he thinks much too well. Does he have the will to act? His soliloquies are about his thoughts and make good theatre as Shakespeare illustrates. And yet, Hamlet is not just good theatre, he is therapy for us as Shakespeare intended, especially if we will put on Hamlet, “overhear him,” or listen in on him, as we speak his words. Recognized as a universal counsellor Shakespeare shows us the tendencies of our human nature in a non-judgmental way. Bloom concludes, “Hamlet will clarify us”, meaning that in listening in on Hamlet, we will receive new insights into ourselves.

Adlerian therapy is well known for the “acting as if” technique whereby clients are invited to try on new ideas, new ways of behavior, and to “make it up or improvise” as if it’s pure acting for a part in a play. Shakespeare shows us his knowledge of this technique when Hamlet (Act 3, scene 4) berates his mother for marrying his uncle so quickly after his father the King’s death so that she can stay Queen. Hamlet says:

“Assume a virtue, if you have it not, that monster custom, who all sense doth eat, of habits devil, is angel yet in this…”

Polly (2015) recommends that clients read out aloud one well-known monologue or soliloquy that embodies the desired character strength. The advantages of reading it out loud rather than silently to oneself, are given as it sharpens your focus, connects you to your emotions and imagination, increases your vocabulary, leads to greater understanding, affords the opportunity to play, and exercises your body. And we may add that since somebody will be listening when we read it out aloud, we will likely do a much better job and have the opportunity to hear how we did, and which parts seemed to have more meaning.

Shakespeare himself also shows the same detachment in his sonnets. Yet his detachment here is not wild as it is for Hamlet but is indicative of self-observation and non-attachment, desirable pre-requisites to letting go in order to grow and have new experiences. 

Grad and Zeligman (2017) reported that for college students who had experienced trauma which clearly includes Hamlet, meaning in life (and particularly the presence of meaning, rather than the search for meaning) is the strongest predictor of post-traumatic growth. Shakespeare tells us in this famous soliloquy quoted above that for Hamlet there is no existing meaning. Hence it is not surprising that Hamlet experiences no post-traumatic growth after the death of his father and the traumatic visitation of his father’s ghost. On the contrary, just about everybody dies at the end of the play, except his good friend Horatio who lives to tell us the tale. 

As Adler says, perception and the meaning we each give to an event are more consequential to us than just the event in itself.

References

Katie Evans

1.     Tell us about your personal, and professional background with Adlerian psychology.

To say the least, I grew up in an Adlerian household. Through my father, mother, stepfather, and stepmother I have been well immersed in the teachings of Adler and the world of counseling. My mother and father each own their own private practice and Adlerian psychology has been at the core of their theoretical orientation. 

I am currently a graduate student studying clinical mental health counseling in Savannah, Georgia where I am excited to start implementing my own take on Adlerian Psychology. 

2.     Growing up in an "Adlerian household", how did your family teach you about social interest and cooperation? 

Growing up in an Adlerian household allowed me to have autonomy and a voice at a young age. The guidance I received from my parents was supportive, knowledgeable, and encouraging which allowed me to make an intrinsic choice regarding how I was going to move towards others and contribute to the world around me. Our household implemented weekly family meetings where we learned the importance of encouragement, cooperation, and problem solving within the family dynamic. The idea of helping others was a core value. Much of what I learned growing up are still core values that I honor today. 

3.     What are your professional goals as a counselor? 

My aim is to own a private practice working with individuals and couples. I hope to work with individuals helping them to connect to and enhance their relationships with themselves and others. I have become passionate about wanting to work with clients and their sexuality. I hope to integrate the above in my private practice. I look forward to connecting with other counselors in the Adlerian world through conferences and professional experiences. I plan to contribute to the world of Adlerian Psychology following my father and mother. Lastly, I ideally want to work with individuals through counseling but also through breathwork, movement, and partner work. 

4.     How can we connect with you? 

I look forward to attending future conferences but the best way to connect for now is through email, katarinacevans@gmail.com.

Adlerian Psychology

Presented by: Alyson Schafer, BCs, MA Counselling