Catch 22 and Hamlet Essay

It can almost be unapparent when others have a subconscious hold on the actions of an individual. However, the ability to not only influence but also completely control another person can be incredibly destructive. Sigmund Freud developed this idea of human psychological behavior, which allows one to analyze the unconscious conflicts of individuals. He came to see the humans personality as having three aspects, which together make up the cause of our actions- the Id, the Ego, and the Superego. The Superego in particular, is created through the moral and ethical restraints placed on a human and reflects the values of and individuals family and society. If the Superego has the most influence on an individuals behavior, it can cause that person to develop unbending morals and adamant in his/her interactions with the world. This idea is apparent in both Catch-22, where the Twenty-Seventh Air Force Headquarters has authority over the pilots and dictates each of their lives, and in Hamlet, where the ghost of Hamlets father greatly influences the actions Hamlet takes.

Joseph Hellers Catch-22 takes place during the second half of World War II. Yossarian, the main character, along with other soldiers stationed at the Twenty Seventh Air Force are forced to endure an outlandish, bizarre existence defined by bureaucracy and violence. The Air Force officers have made it their mission to defeat other nations, despite the time soldiers spend fighting battles. They have no consideration for the lives of their soldiers, and force them to remain fighting in the army. But they dont say you have to go home. And regulations do say you have to obey every order. Thats the catch. Even if the colonel were disobeying a Twenty Seventh Air Force order by making you fly more missions, youd still have to fly them, or youd be guilty of disobeying an order of his. And then the Twenty Seventh Air Force Headquarters would really jump on you. The Catch, as previously stated, is that The Catch 22 is a paradoxical and illogical law that allows the Air Force officers to use the soldiers to accomplish their missions and obtain complete control over every soldier, forcing them to fight in the most perilous and death-defying battles in order to enhance their own reputations. The circumstances that Yossarian has been put under leave him no choice but to declare himself insane, since, according to the Catch, being insane is the only way to escape. However, knowing that only a sane person would declare himself insane, the Air Force forced him to continue fighting and he has no way of escape because a concern for his own life proved that he is not crazy as he claimed to be. This represents the superego in which the Air Force has complete control over Yossarian. Every solution he could possibly try has led him to failure. This example of superego is extreme as this higher power is controlling the actions of everyone in the army. The Superego of the Catch 22 that declared laws, which define the moral standards, that soldiers are forced to live under has its emotional and physical effects on the soldiers. They are all held in the captivity of war, by their own officers, fighting for their own country.

Shakespeares Hamlet has many examples of the super ego and its control over characters in the play. Hamlets father has revealed to Hamlet that his uncle is the reason for his fathers death. As Hamlet realizes what his father said is true, he has no choice but to kill him. But, howsoever thou pursues this act, taint not they mind nor let thy soul contrive against they mother aught. Let her to heaven and to those thorns that in her bosom ledge, to prick and sting her.remember me. Hamlet explains his situation in his famous to be or not to be soliloquy. The lines "whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer/the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune" is the to be option, and "to take arms against a sea of troubles/and by opposing end them" is the not to be option. The influence of what Hamlets father told him causes so much inner tormoil, he goes as far as to consider suicide. To die to sleep/To sleep perchance to dream: ay, theres the rub!/

For in that sleep of death what dreams may come/When we have shuffled off this mortal coil/Must give us pause. Hamlet discusses the decision he must make and makes clear the harsh reality of the rub, or difficulty he was forced to face. The voice of his father functions as his superego. Hamlet has so much respect for his father that he is willing to do whatever his father commanded. Even if it means to find the king of his country guilty for murder and even hurt his own mother by killing her husband. It is evident tat the influence of the superego has caused Hamlet to endure a path that only led to his deep depression and eventual death.

Both Catch-22 and Hamlet contain examples of the harsh influence the superego can have on a person. Yossarian going so far as to declare himself insane, and Hamlet becoming so depressed that he considers suicide display the superego at its best. If anything, Yossarian and Hamlet convey to the readers that one should never be controlled by the rules a society enforces. A person should establish their own personal beliefs and stick to them should a difficult circumstance occur.