The Goat or, Who is Sylvia? (Notes Toward a Definition of Tragedy): Bestiality in Psychoanalysis Perspective

Abstract

ABSTRACT

This paper discusses bestiality in the script play entitled The Goat or, Who is Sylvia (Notes Toward a Definition of Tragedy) by Edward Albee (2005). The script play presents the main character, Martin, who has a sexual impulse toward a goat, named Sylvia. Since most societies consider heterosexual as the normal sexual preference and any other preferences are regarded as a perversion, Martin’s desire cannot be accepted by other characters around him which leads to Sylvia’s death. This study aims at revealing bestiality factors of the main character. The method used in the discussion was a qualitative method; the main character’s dialogues were analyzed using Freud’s psychoanalysis theory. 

Keywords: bestiality, perversion, psychoanalysis, repression