A Freudian Analysis of Individual and the Church in the Monk by Matthew Lewis

Abstract

Depicting the existence of social, ethical, and religious problems in institutional church and aristocracy, many of the novels written in Gothic tradition are critical of the aesthetics of the neoclassical period. Being an anachronistic representation of the period, The Monk by Matthew Lewis is highly critical of the Medieval representation of the Church covering incestuous villains, oppressed religious characters like a villainous monk, seducing demon and evil nuns, the plot structure is an extensive presentation of the dark side of the human and problematic issues taking place in and around the Church along with the presentation of aristocratic life. Lewis presents not only what is visible but also highlights contradictory applications of the Church. This deep and dark relationship is one of the main issues of the Medieval period portrayed by Lewis in the late 18th century. In this context, this study intends to shed light on this interwoven and complicated relationship from a Freudian perspective by highlighting connections, especially between id and superego to reveal hidden and deeper feelings inside human beings.