Apocalyptic Psychic Landscapes, Haunting Internal Objects, and the Murderousness of Group Dynamics in Julius Caesar

Abstract:Julius Caesar (1599) presents a progressive shaping of the group mindset through projective identification. Cassius, envious of Caesar, fuels a murderous desire in Brutus and the co-conspirators, culminating in Caesar’s assassination. After the murder, Antony and Brutus attempt to sway collective opinion toward their respective interpretations of the event. Antony astutely pushes the crowd to vindictive rage, leading to further murderous action. Characters have great difficulty thinking together, the content of their internal worlds becoming foreign, frightening elements that are split-off, projected, or “controlled” through omniscience/omnipotence. Such defenses collapse when figures need to re-introject or grieve disavowed parts of themselves.