Self, Psyche and Symbolism in the Roman de la Rose

by Amy Todey

It is a long-held belief in psychology that insight into the unconscious contributes to therapeutic relief. Similarly, it is widely thought that the resolution of internal conflicts promotes good psychological health. According to Carl Jung (1984), psychological conflicts are best understood through the analysis of psychic symbols that are spontaneously projected into dreams, art and myth. The present study of the seminal, medieval, illuminated manuscript the Roman de la Rose, demonstrates how life themes can be understood through psychodynamic analysis of symbols found in allegory and art as Jung describes. From a theoretical standpoint, this inquiry performs a Jungian analysis of four symbols of the human self that are embedded in the mythology and art of the Roman de la Rose: the dream, the mirror, the Pool of Narcissus and Pygmalion’s sculpture. This inquiry also reveals the presence of the Jungian archetypes of the anima, the animus, the self and the shadow that are evoked by the Roman de la Rose symbolism. The implications and impact of these Jungian archetypes are discussed as they relate to the integrity of the Roman de la Rose manuscript and promote general understanding of the human psyche. The findings of this study offer a novel, dynamic, psycho-literary interpretation of the Roman de la Rose and demonstrate how psychologists can use works of literature and art as vehicles to help clients better understand themselves and their unconscious processes.

PsyArt is an online, peer-reviewed journal featuring articles using a psychological approach to the arts. We provide a rapid publication decision and a large and international readership. The journal is open to any psychology and any art, although PsyArt specializes in psychoanalytic psychology and literature or film.