LEADERSHIP, PSYCHIC CONFLICT AND NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION: A CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF SHAKESPEARE'S AS YOU LIKE IT

Abstract

In 1890, the Viennese neurologist, Sigmund Freud, founded the psychoanalytical theory wherein he identified the human mind to be composed of the triadic fetters of id, ego, and superego housed in the unconscious mind that inadvertently regulate humans every day actions. Freud posits that the actions of men are results of distant past memories/experiences some in form of guilt or otherwise, for which they  refuse to admit, but rather put up ‘defense mechanisms’ that propel them act in certain negative ways towards others. Sequel to these is narcissism, a concept introduced by Freud in psychoanalysis, which bears the image of the pursuit of vaniticious gratifications and the egoistic admiration of one's own personal attributes in disregard of others. Premised on the above, and especially considering leadership question in Nigerian since independence, one would not, but agree with Freud that the country's development has been hampered by these psychical vagaries that have become the lot of its leadership class. The problem of this study therefore is that Nigeria's under-development has been observed to be tied to the many negative actions of its successive leaders who have allowed the remotest part of their minds, the id, dominate their conscious minds, the ego and the superego, and thereby making them act in such negative ways that constantly stifle the change they always desire. This researcher observes that such posturing has tilted the leadership class towards a marginalizing policy of exclusion at the detriment of national development. The objective of this study therefore is to psychoanalytically examine, through an investigation of Shakespeare's As You Like It, the effects of the interactions of the psychic structures of the id, ego and superego on play's characters and by extension the Nigerian leadership class so as to understand the reason they act the way they do. This study concludes that unless the nation's leadership rethinks its current posture, the much sought for change will remain permanently elusive.