"Clothe you his body, he will help to apparel your mind" : Imitation and Narcissism in Cynthia's Revels

Isaac HUI*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Journal PublicationsJournal Article (refereed)peer-review

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between imitation and narcissism in the early modern period through a rereading of Ben Jonson's Cynthia's Revels. Contrary to modern psychoanalytic understanding that a close connection exists between imitation and narcissism, imitation, as a method of translation and creation, in the early modern period does not relate to narcissism; in fact, they can be viewed as opposing concepts. To explore the relationship between imitation and narcissism and to establish a connection between the two concepts in psychoanalysis, this study uses the works of Sigmund Freud and Jacques Lacan. Through an analysis of characters, Criticus and Amorphus, in Cynthia's Revels, this study reveals that, while Criticus often imitates classical authors such as Horace, Seneca, and Juvenal, he is not regarded as a narcissist. Contrastingly, characters such as Amorphus are portrayed as narcissistic, though they only quote Latin idioms and do not imitate them. Their behavior is mimicry, a superficial imitation without substance. This article then rereads the portrayals of Criticus and Amorphus from a modern-day psychoanalytic perspective, suggesting that Criticus can be perceived as narcissistic and that Amorphus can be seen as a force of satire instead of a satirized target.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)222-238
JournalThe Comparatist
Volume48
Early online date23 Oct 2024
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2024

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