Ghosts, ghouls, aliens, cryptids and those who capture
them, a concept that media in the last forty years has taken on by phenomena. Cheesy
special effects and acting aside the ghosts and their capturers or busters as
described by the film Ghostbusters have been a source of speculation and
curiosity for years. While many do not consider the realm of science in a film
where ginormous marshmallow men terrorize New York City, the scientific realm
of psychology was not excluded. Sigmund Freud defines three aspects of the
human psyche: the id, the ego, and the superego. While the work of Sigmund
Freud was not in mind when writing each of the primary three protagonists the
influence of Freud’s findings plays on the characters are quite evident.
The
id can be easily classified as the instinctual desires of the human psyche, or
more humorously described as the little devil that tells you to care for your
desires and self over others. The ego is the anchor to the reality of the
situation, it is the repression of the id while keeping in mind the concept of
self. The superego is the human psyche’s sense of morality, holding others over
one’s self, the superego holds authorities over both the ego and id. The trio
of friends that forms titular Ghostbusters in the film all fall into varying
depths of the Freudian concept. Dr. Peter Venkman, the quick-witted,
disinterred “T.V show host” of the group falls deeply into the concept of id.
Dr. Venkman is heavily fueled by his lustful desires and greed, this can be
seen during the initial inspection of Dana Barret’s home. During the inspection
there were no signs of paranormal activity like Ms. Barret described; however,
driven by romantic interest Dr. Venkman determines he will “solve” Ms. Barret’s
problem. Dr. Venkman’s desires and end goals differ heavily in the
representation of the ego.
The
character that most portrays the ego is that of Dr. Egon Spengler, the
scientific mastermind of the group. Dr. Spengler is routed in the concept of
reality, science and the understanding of the unknown, Dr. Spengler
rationalizes everything within reason. Dr. Spengler can be seen using his
rational mind when the initial tour of the iconic firehouse takes place, he
identifies and addresses the structural and electrical issues with the
property. Dr. Spengler is a rational man of science who understands the gravity
of the presence of ghosts in the mortal realm. While Dr. Spengler seems to be
very brash and dull, he does find interests and hobbies for his pleasure as
seen with his interaction with the Ghostbusters’ secretary who attempted to
flirt with Dr. Spengler. The ego and id have one aspect of the human psyche
that can overrule both and it is the superego.
The
superego of the trio comes in the form of Dr. Ray Stanz, the energetic
excitable financial funder of the trio. Dr. Ray Stanz stands for two things and
they are the capture and proof of the spectral entities that have been plaguing
the New York area. Dr. Stanz can be seen as the more idiotic of the trio;
however, as proven during the initial “ghost busting” Dr. Stanz can hold his
own both intellectually and mentally to the others in face of danger. The
superego holds the morality of the group and is seen by Dr. Stanz who focuses
not on the science, not on the fame, but the people they are helping. Dr. Stanz
is carefree, optimistic, and a bit hungry in the presence of Gozer. While Dr.
Stanz can share traits with both the ego and the id the superego finds home in
Dr. Stanz.
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