Although morality is an interpretive human construct, we constantly measure ourselves against an ideal image of man through the gaze of moral judgment; the guilt in not measuring up to that ideal is negatively manifested in self-punishment.

According to Freud, the ‘need for punishment’ is the masochism proper to the ego which demands punishment, and ‘self-punishment’ is the activity by the super ego to which the ego submits. Freud explains that with Moral Masochism the ego eroticizes the feelings of guilt. The desire for punishment is then resexualized in a regressive way, becoming the source of masochistic satisfactions.

This project exploits moral masochism, and its cyclical nature, as a part of the human condition.

I have been researching Shakespeare’s comedies, but have not found anything pertaining to my ‘theme’. I have found a parallel drawn by some critics that isolates Desdemona, (of Othello) as a masochist who is repressing sexual desires as a result of societal norms; this eventually leads to her death. These critics have given her some responsibility for her own death because she is self-punishing. I am not sure if this is completely relevant and I am aware that Othello is a tragedy, not a comedy. I’m not sure how to proceed. Any advice in moving forward would be very much appreciated.