the presence of the supernatural on the psyche, the influence of lovesickness on emotional regulation and clear thinking, and the impact of manipulation in the creation of madness in Macbeth

this dissertation outlines the construction of madness in Shakespearean tragedies where madness is not a definitive theme, specifically focusing around Faucault’s theory of Madness and Civilisation. Focusing on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Othello, and Macbeth as primary texts, this dissertation will look at factors such as at the presence of the supernatural on the psyche, the influence of lovesickness on emotional regulation and clear thinking, and the impact of manipulation on ones sense of self. Using close textual analysis, this study will look at the causes of madness and the changes in identity which occur due to it. It will analyse the use of speech whilst also including close analysis on cultural and historical context to create a clear comparison of the concept of madness both before and after the publication of these plays. This text will look specifically at the titular characters of the prior mentioned plays, explaining how the creation of their madness leads to choices which result in their deaths which otherwise may have been prevented.