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. STEYL PATran (SATI) SATI REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1000219 iii Declaration by the APA Editor P.O. Box 31300 Fichardt Park 9317 Tel (w): (051) 4012890 Cell: 0842004401 E-mail: [email protected] 7 February 2017 TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN STATEMENT WITH REGARD TO APA EDITING OF THESIS Hereby I, Jacques Jordaan (I.D. 7905125022080), confirm that I have APA edited the following thesis: Title of thesis: The Great Pretender: A Psychobiography of Freddie Mercury Author: Mr Dewald Louw Yours sincerely Dr. J. Jordaan iv Student Declaration I declare that the mini-dissertation hereby submitted by me for the Magister Artium (Counselling Psychology) degree at the University of the Free State is my own independent work and that I have not submitted it previously at another university/faculty. I further cede copyright of the dissertation in favour of the University of the Free State. 08/02/2017 ___________________________ ___________________________ Dewald Louw Date v Turnitin Certificate This work has been evaluated for originality by means of the Turnitin service. Submission ID: 768162982. Similarity index: 14%. vi Table of Contents Page Photograph of Freddie Mercury ............................................................................... i Acknowledgements ................................................................................................. ii Declaration by the Language Editor ....................................................................... iii Declaration by the APA Editor .............................................................................. iv Student Declaration ................................................................................................. v Turnitin Certificate ................................................................................................. vi List of Tables ........................................................................................................ xvi Abstract ............................................................................................................... xvii Chapter 1: Introduction and Problem Statement ..................................................... 1 1.1 Chapter Preview ........................................................................................ 1 1.2 General Orientation to the Study .............................................................. 1 1.3 Rationale and Problem Statement ............................................................. 2 1.4 Research Aim ............................................................................................ 4 1.5 Theoretical Orientation ............................................................................. 5 1.6 Overview of the Study .............................................................................. 5 vii 1.7 Chapter Summary ..................................................................................... 6 Chapter 2: The Life of Freddie Mercury ................................................................. 7 2.1 Chapter Preview ........................................................................................ 7 2.2 Historical Periods in the Life of Freddie Mercury .................................... 7 2.2.1 Zanzibar (1946 – 1953). ..................................................................... 7 2.2.2 Panchgani (1954 – 1958). .................................................................. 9 2.2.3 Darlings (1959 – 1963). ................................................................... 10 2.2.4 The Great Pretender (1964 – 1974).................................................. 11 2.2.5 I want to break free (1975 – 1984). .................................................. 15 2.2.6 Love Kills (1985 – 1991). ................................................................ 18 2.3. Chapter Summary ................................................................................... 22 Chapter 3: Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial Personality Development ............. 23 3.1 Chapter Preview ...................................................................................... 23 3.2 Erik Erikson ............................................................................................ 23 3.2.1 Erikson’s prospect of psychoanalysis. ............................................. 24 3.2.2 Erikson and personality development. ............................................. 26 3.3 Psychosocial Theory ............................................................................... 27 3.4 Eight Stages of Psychosocial Theory ...................................................... 27 viii 3.4.1 Stage 1: Basic trust versus basic mistrust (0 to 1 year). ................... 29 3.4.2 Stage 2: Autonomy versus shame and doubt (1 to 3 years). ............ 31 3.4.3 Stage 3: Initiative versus guilt (3 to 6 years). .................................. 32 3.4.4 Stage 4: Industry versus inferiority (6 to 12 years). ......................... 33 3.4.5 Stage 5: Identity versus role confusion (12 to 18 years). ................. 35 3.4.6 Stage 6: Intimacy versus isolation (18 to 40 years). ........................ 37 3.4.7 Stage 7: Generativity versus stagnation (40 to 65 years). ................ 38 3.4.8 Stage 8: Integrity versus despair (65 years and onwards). ............... 40 3.5 Psychopathology ..................................................................................... 41 3.5.1 Basic mistrust. .................................................................................. 41 3.5.2 Shame and doubt. ............................................................................. 42 3.5.3 Guilt. ................................................................................................ 42 3.5.4 Inferiority. ........................................................................................ 43 3.5.5 Role confusion. ................................................................................ 43 3.5.6 Isolation. ........................................................................................... 44 3.5.7 Stagnation. ....................................................................................... 44 3.5.8 Despair. ............................................................................................ 45 3.6 The Additional Ninth Stage .................................................................... 45 ix 3.7 Erikson, Psychobiography, and Applicability of his Theory for the Study ....................................................................................................... 45 3.8 Critical Reflection ................................................................................... 46 3.9 Chapter Summary ................................................................................... 48 Chapter 4: Psychobiography and Case Study Research: A Theoretical Overview 49 4.1 Chapter Preview ...................................................................................... 49 4.2 Psychology and Biography ..................................................................... 49 4.3 Psychobiography: Definitions and Descriptions ..................................... 52 4.4 Psychobiography and Related Concepts ................................................. 54 4.4.1 Autobiography and biography. ........................................................ 55 4.4.2 Life histories and life stories. ........................................................... 55 4.4.3 Psychohistory, historical psychology, and historiography. ............. 56 4.4.4 Personality assessment. .................................................................... 57 4.5 Psychobiography as Case Study Research .............................................. 58 4.5.1 Case research epistemology. ............................................................ 58