The Overreacher Unbound: A Literary Exploration of Voldemort’s Overreacher Persona Through Freudian Lens

Year 2024, Volume: 10 Issue: 1, 51 - 67, 24.09.2024

Bahieh Zetun

Abstract

This paper aims to provide a psychoanalytic examination of Lord Voldemort's character as portrayed by J.K. Rowling in contemporary literature. With a detailed study of Voldemort's behaviour and character qualities within the narrative framework, the article hopes to place him within the conceptual boundaries of the 'Overreacher' archetype. The first section of this inquiry dives into the features that define the ‘Overreacher’ archetype, clarifying its overall attributes and expression in the literary sphere, while mainly focusing on famous characters such as Icarus and Doctor Faustus. Furthermore, the subsequent analysis digs deeper into Freudian analysis to place a framework for further psychological investigation, notably the Oedipus complex, Id, Ego, Superego, and the opposing forces of Thanatos and Eros. The study uses these psychoanalytic concepts to investigate the complicated motivations and actions connected with characters that exemplify the ‘Overreacher’ archetype through a possible examination of their early lives and motifs. After giving a thorough understanding of the characteristics of the archetype bearers, the attention moves to the main character, Lord Voldemort. The study of Voldemort's psychology entails evaluating his childhood, connections, motives, and actions through the lens of the Oedipus complex, as well as the interactions of the Ego, Superego, and Id. The research also looks at how Voldemort's Thanatos and Eros forces express his desire for power and immortality. Therefore, by combining these psychoanalytic principles, the paper hopes to shed light on Lord Voldemort's character, revealing the many layers of his personality and the driving reasons behind his unwavering desire for power. Finally, this psychoanalytic analysis not only increases the audience’s knowledge of Voldemort as a literary figure but also contributes to the larger conversation on the psychological components of modern writing and the inclusion of the ‘Overreacher’ Archetype.

Keywords

Freudian Analysis, The Overreacher, Lord Voldemort, Pyschological Investigation

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