Psyche and the Sleep of Thanatos

Abstract

Introduction

This is work a result of hermeneutics thanatos-semiotics of the work ‘The vengeance of Venus, opening the box of dreams of the underworld, sinks into sleep”.

Objective

To propose a semiotic interpretation of the work of Maurice Denis based on interdisciplinary hermeneutics between Psychology, Thanatology and Psychiatry, by investigating the psychological reactions and psychiatric disorders that result from the confrontation with death.

Method

Analysis of the work of Maurice Denis (1908) in comparison to mythology and symbolic readings available in essays and books in the fields of Psychology, Psychiatry and Thanatology.

Results

Mythology suggests that soul-life (Psyche) does not see love (Eros), but realizes it, and its senses are involved by it. As love becomes enamored of soul-life, exogenous forces act to promote dichotomy and to extinguish balance. Eros and Psyche are involved and challenged by Thanatos. Death breaks the desires and impulses of perfect union. In order to overcome the traumas caused by the confrontation with death, actions and manifestations that ensure the patient an environment of care and affection are essential.

Conclusion

The thanatos-semiotics reading is a proposal tool for behavioral analysis of patients with difficulties in resolving their mourning in the face of symbolic deaths and deaths. Art as a vehicle to promote dialogue between patient and mental health professionals is a widely used expedient, but it has a huge potential of reserve of sense that remains unexplored.