A Psychoanalytical Interpretation Of Desire In Salome

Oscar Wilde(1854-1900) is an Irish-born English writer, poet, and the representative figure of Aesthetic movement. Wilde advocated “art for art’ sake”, and art does exist for its intrinsic value, and should divorce from any didactic, moral or utilitarian function. Despite his early death, Wilde left many successful productions in different literary fields, such as poetry, fairy tales, essays, critics, drama, fiction, etc. Among them, the most notable work is undoubtedly the one-act play Salome. Salome is the solo tragedy of Wilde, and it is the only one written in French. This one-act play, which is an adaptation of a biblical story, has been a controversial work since its first rehearsal in 1892.As a writer who is good at imitation and integration, Oscar Wilde re-interprets the story of Salome, turns the faceless biblical Jewish princess into a fatal charismatic girl, and with the dance of the seven veils as the climax, offers a feast of desire to readers. This thesis attempts to apply psychoanalytic theories to interpret Salome, analyze the origins, the manifestations and the final outcome of desire through an in-depth study of the main characters’ inner world and spiritual outlook, aiming to help readers recognize the desire as a driving force behind the irrational behavior and provide a new perspective to appreciate the play.At the beginning of this play, the characters showed their desires to others. The young Syrian’s desire to Salome comes from his narcissism. Salome’s desire to Iokanaan comes from her unsolved Electra complex. Herod’s desire to Salome comes from his lust. In this play, male gaze and female gaze consist of the main communication of the characters. The gaze from male characters at Salome is a symbol of power, representing the occupation and consumption for Salome, and making her an object of desire. But Salome breaks through the overwhelming male gaze, and issues a challenge to the male subject. From gazing at Iokanaan, Salome experiences the pleasure of conquering male-centered society. At the same time, desire creates death. The Syrian’s suicide is a triumph of death instinct when his desire is unfulfilled. Iokanaan is a victim of Salome’s desire and his death is a sacrifice for religion. And Salome’s death is a sublimation of instant pleasure. At the end of the story, Salome embraces the fatal death as a desire subject and obtains the eternity of her desire.