Abstract

TAVARES, José Luiz Cordeiro Dias. Malaise in Venice. J. psicanal. [online]. 2017, vol.50, n.93, pp. 321-334. ISSN 0103-5835.

This paper proposes an examination of Thomas Mann's Death in Venice, especially of the part which brings an opportunity of a thought-provocative dialogue with Freud's and Plato's writings. In an instinctual path, the protagonist-poet departs in search of his desire, which seemed to him unsettling, strange, and unrelated to his usual modus operandi. A tragic emphasis to the scenes is given by a Venetian environment, ravaged by cholera, and which may be related to the poet's instinctual chaos. The impossibility of achieving happiness in love causes him suffering which is amplified when it exposes his incompleteness from the Platonic perspective of love - a love that Eros blessed. In his journey, the poet reveals his conflicts between sexuality and Self, which, as Freud proposed, lies at the root of psychoneuroses. His course confirms the Freudian idea that, although the unrestricted satisfaction of all needs may be the most tempting way to lead one's life, this process requires joy to be put ahead of caution. It results in punishment for daring try to savor the pleasures of instinct.

Keywords : instinct; sexuality; desire; conflict; psychoneurosis.

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