The Great Pretender: A Psychobiography of Freddie Mercury by Dewald Louw Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Magister Artium in Counselling Psychology in the Department of Psychology, Faculty of the Humanities at the University of the Free State Bloemfontein 8 February 2017 Supervisor: Prof. J. P. Fouché 1 Photograph of Freddie Mercury Retrieved from https://metrouk2.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/88426684- e1472551231488.jpg i Acknowledgements Many people expressed their continuous support throughout this research project. I wish to thank the following individuals for their contributions: Prof Paul Fouché, for introducing me to the intriguing field of psychobiography, as well as his patience, guidance and optimistic nature as a supervisor that motivated and supported me throughout this journey. Mr Danie Steyl and Dr Jacques Jordaan, for their professional contribution in editing this thesis. My parents, Flippie and Maria, my sister, Tania, as well as my life partner, Nicole, for their unfailing support and camaraderie. Friends and colleagues, for your interest and words of encouragement. ii Declaration by the Language Editor P.O. Box 955 Oudtshoorn 6620 Tel (h): (044) 2725099 Tel (w): (044) 2034111 Cell: 0784693727 E-mail:
[email protected] 08 February 2017 TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN STATEMENT WITH REGARD TO LANGUAGE EDITING OF THESIS Hereby I, Jacob Daniël Theunis De Bruyn STEYL (I.D. 5702225041082), a language practitioner accredited with the South African Translators’ Institute (SATI), confirm that I have language edited the following thesis: Title of thesis: The Great Pretender: A Psychobiography of Freddie Mercury Author: Mr Dewald Louw Yours faithfully J.D.T.D.