Patrick Süskinds Der Kontrabass - UWSpace - University of Waterloo

Abstract
This thesis provides a psychological insight of the protagonist in Patrick Süskind’s
monodrama Der Kontrabass in order to reveal his suffering from a contemporarily increasing
psychical disease. This mental illness is called “borderline personality disorder” (BPD). One
theory concerning the causes of this disease locates its roots in societal changes. Therefore, the
contemporary society is even labelled as “borderline-era” in Kreisman’s and Straus’ book I
Hate You – Don’t Leave Me (1989). In terms of definition, I will explain the eight distinctive
criteria, out oh which five have to be applicable on the respective person. This psychological
work makes up one part of the theoretical basis for my interpretation and shows the up-to-
datedness of the protagonist’s problems. Besides this approach, I will also refer to some of
Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytical theories, because the protagonist himself utters allusions to
the oedipal complex and the human drives. In this respect, I will give a short summary of
Freud’s descriptions of the relevant concepts. Here, the role of the instrument will be
appreciated, as well, since the contrabass player refers to it as he would refer to an other human
being. Thus, I will briefly point out the different ways, in which the contrabass is
personificated by its owner.
However, not only these aspects are interesting in order to achieve a convincing
interpretation of the protagonist’s character. Therefore, the formal aspects of this play will be
considered as well, since they contribute to the creation of its overall mood. This mood reflects
the inner disruption of the tragicomic protagonist, since it is ambivalent as well. Concluding
the interpretation, the different possibilities concerning the open ending will be discussed.
Afterwards, I will give a short summary of my results and finish my thesis with suggestions for
further research on Süskind’s Der Kontrabass.
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