Alter ego
This article possibly contains original research. (January 2022) |
An alter ego (
A distinct meaning of alter ego is found in the literary analysis used when referring to fictional literature and other narrative forms, describing a key character in a story who is perceived to be intentionally representative of the work's author (or creator), by oblique similarities, in terms of psychology, behavior, speech, or thoughts, often used to convey the author's thoughts. The term is also sometimes, but less frequently, used to designate a hypothetical "twin" or "best friend" to a character in a story. Similarly, the term alter ego may be applied to the role or persona taken on by an actor[1] or by other types of performers.
Origin
Cicero coined the term as part of his philosophical construct in 1st-century Rome, but he described it as "a second self, a trusted friend".[2]
The existence of "another self" was first fully recognized in the 18th century, when
In popular culture and fiction
- The title characters in Robert Louis Stevenson's thriller Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde represent an exploration of the concept that good and evil exist within one person, constantly at war.[9] Edward Hyde represents the doctor's other self, a psychopath who is unrestrained by the conventions of civilized society, and who shares a body with the doctor. The names "Jekyll and Hyde" have since become synonymous with a split personality or an alter ego that becomes capable of overpowering the original self.
- In the novel Chateau d'If, assumes three alter egos: the count of Monte Cristo, the Italian abbe called Giacomo Busoni, and the Englishman Lord Wilmore. In the novel, the Count of Monte Cristo rewards those who had been good to him while punishing those who contributed in one way or the other to his imprisonment. He leads M. Danglars to lose all his fortune, M. de Villefort to his madness, Fernand Mandego to commit suicide, and others more to their fate.
- Norman Douglas in the late 1890s wrote a short story, "The Familiar Spirit", about a man who became aware while drowning of a conformist second self – "the presence within him of this Spirit, his alter ego, which is bent on crushing his ambition".[10]
- Published in 1905, the Scarlet Pimpernel is the prototype hero with a secret identity.[11] Sir Percy Blakeney leads a double life: apparently just a wealthy fop, but in reality he is the Scarlet Pimpernel, a formidable swordsman and a quick-thinking master of disguise and escape artist. By drawing attention to his alter ego, Blakeney hides behind his public face as a slow thinking foppish playboy (similar to Bruce Wayne (Batman)), and also establishes a network of supporters, The League of the Scarlet Pimpernel, that aid his endeavours.[12]
- In Bruce Bannerloses control to the Hyde-like Hulk whenever he becomes angry, yet also depends upon the Hulk's superpowers to combat villains.
- In the film and novel Tyler Durden.
- In the Indian Malayalam film Ustaad, written by Ranjith and directed by Sibi Malayil, Mohanlal plays the character of Ustaad, the alter ego of the character Parameswaran.
- In Disney's Oliver Oken (played by Mitchel Musso), also lead the lives of high school students and are what make up Hannah's entourage, Lola Luftnagle and Mike Stanley III respectively.
- In Alison Dilaurentis.
- In Beavis and Butt-Head, Cornholio is Beavis's alter ego.
- Several famous musicians have adopted alter egos over the years, usually to indicate a new creative direction or a deep dive into their emotions removed from their popular stage persona—notable examples being Viktor Vaughn, JJ DOOMand DANGERDOOM.
- Darth Vader is considered to be the alter ego of Anakin Skywalker following his fall to the dark side of The Force.
- In OMORI, the story revolves around a boy named SUNNY and his "alter-ego" OMORI.
- In the 2023 Tamil Film Leo: Bloody Sweet actor Joseph Vijay plays the character Leo Das and his alter-ego Parthiban.
See also
- Author surrogate
- Ego-state therapy
- Gothic double
- Moniker(nickname)
- Mononymous person
- Pen name
- Persona
- Fursona
- Pseudonym
- Ring name
- Stage name
- Subpersonality
- True self and false self
- Tulpa
References
- ISBN 90-265-1119-1.
- ^ "Alter Ego". Collins English Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 10th Edition. William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 2009. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
- ^ J Haule, Jung in the 21st Century II (2010) p. 88
- ISBN 0-415-10424-6.
- ^ S Freud, Five Lectures on Psycho-Analysis (Penguin 1995) p. 21
- ^ S Freud On Metapsychology (PFL 11) p. 172
- ^ S Freud, 'The Uncanny' Imago V (1919) p. 41
- ^ H Kohut, How Does Analysis Cure? (London 1984) p. 192-3
- ^ I. Ousby ed., The Cambridge Guide to Literature in English (Cambridge 1995) p. 263
- ^ N. Douglas, Looking Back (London 1934) p. 274
- ISBN 978-0-7864-7646-6.
- ^ Robb, Brian J. (May 2014). A Brief History of Superheroes: From Superman to the Avengers, the Evolution of Comic Book Legends. Hatchet UK.
- ^ Kotrial, Utsav (August 30, 2018). "The Origin Stories of Music's Biggest Alter Egos". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
- ^ "'Ziggy Stardust': How Bowie Created the Alter Ego That Changed Rock". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
- ^ Juzwiak, Rich (June 18, 2019). "Madonna: Madame X Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved November 16, 2019.