A Horneyan Interpretation Of Characters’ Personalities In ’Tis Pity She’s A Whore

This thesis analyzes the three characters Giovanni, Annabella and Richardetto’s anxieties in John Ford’s’ Tis Pity She’s a Whore with the help of the neo-psychoanalyst Karen Horney’s anxiety theory. Based on Horney’s anxiety theory and a close reading of the play, this thesis explores the characters’ anxieties, psychological conditions and their personalities. Through analyzing the manifestations and causes of the three characters’anxiety, their defensive strategies against anxiety as well as the consequences of their struggles, this thesis will reveal how the social and cultural environments in Renaissance period have influenced the individuals and engendered anxiety in them, and how one can effectively fight against anxiety by flexibly applying defensive strategies.This thesis attempts to confirm that Giovanni and Annabella’s anxiety and tragic end are mainly caused by their incomplete family and the social-cultural environment. Richardetto’s success in overcoming his anxiety lies in his ability to flexibly apply the three defensive strategies. This thesis emphasizes the significant role of parents and social-cultural environments in the shaping of one’s personality so as to make people be aware of the importance of building a harmonious familial and social relationship in cultivating healthy and sound personalities. Thus, this thesis is not only of certain values in interpreting John Ford’s’Tis Pity She’s a Whore, but also has practical significance in arousing people’s awareness of psychological health in individual’s growing up..