An alter ego (Latin for "other I") means an alternate self, which is believed to be distinct from a person's normal or true original personality. Finding one's alter ego will require finding one's other self, one with a different personality. Additionally, the altered states of the ego may themselves be referred to as alterations.
A distinct meaning of alter ego is found in the literary analysis used when referring to fictional literature and other narrative forms, describing a key character in a story who is perceived to be intentionally representative of the work's author (or creator), by oblique similarities, in terms of psychology, behaviour, speech, or thoughts, often used to convey the author's thoughts. The term is also sometimes, but less frequently, used to designate a Hypothesis "twin" or "best friend" to a character in a story. Similarly, the term alter ego may be applied to the role or persona taken on by an actor
Origin
Cicero coined the term as part of his philosophical construct in 1st-century
Ancient Rome, but he described it as "a second self, a trusted friend".
The existence of "another self" was first fully recognized in the 18th century, when Anton Mesmer and his followers used hypnosis to separate the alter ego.[J Haule, Jung in the 21st Century II (2010) p. 88] These experiments showed a behavior pattern that was distinct from the personality of the individual when he was in the waking state compared with when he was under hypnosis. Another character had developed in the altered state of consciousness but in the same body.
Sigmund Freud, throughout his career, would appeal to such instances of dual consciousness to support his thesis of the unconscious.[Freud, S., Five Lectures on Psycho-Analysis (Penguin 1995) p. 21] He considered that "We may most aptly describe them as cases of a splitting of the mental activities into two groups, and say that the same consciousness turns to one or the other of these groups alternately".[Freud, S. On Metapsychology (PFL 11) p. 172] Freud considered the roots of the phenomenon of the alter ego to be in the Narcissism of early childhood.[Freud, S., 'The Uncanny' Imago V (1919) p. 41] Heinz Kohut would identify a specific need in that early phase for mirroring, by another which resulted later in what he called the "twinship or alter ego transference".[Kohut, H., How Does Analysis Cure? (London 1984) p. 192-3]
In popular culture and fiction
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The title characters in Robert Louis Stevenson's thriller Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde represent an exploration of the concept that good and evil exist within one person, constantly at war.
[I. Ousby ed., The Cambridge Guide to Literature in English (Cambridge 1995) p. 263] Edward Hyde represents the doctor's other self, a psychopathy who is unrestrained by the conventions of civilized society, and who shares a body with the doctor. The names (Jekyll and Hyde) since become synonymous with a split personality or an alter ego that can overpower the original self.
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In the novel The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, the main character Edmond Dantes, after escaping from the Chateau d'If, assumes three alter egos: the count of Monte Cristo, the Italian abbe called Giacomo Busoni, and the Englishman Lord Wilmore. In the novel, the Count of Monte Cristo rewards those who had been good to him while punishing those who contributed in one way or the other to his imprisonment. He leads M. Danglars to lose all his fortune, M. de Villefort to his madness, Fernand Mandego to commit suicide and others more to their fate.
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Norman Douglas in the late 1890s wrote a short story, "The Familiar Spirit", about a man who became aware while drowning of a conformist second self – "the presence within him of this Spirit, his alter ego, which is bent on crushing his ambition".
[N. Douglas, Looking Back (London 1934) p. 274]
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Published in 1905, the Scarlet Pimpernel's titular protagonist is the prototype hero with a secret identity.
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In comic books, superheroes and their secret identities are often considered the alter egos. The archetype comic book hero, Superman, assumes the identity of the "mild-mannered" newspaper reporter Clark Kent to live among the citizens of Metropolis without arousing suspicion. The Incredible Hulk comic book series further complicates this theme, as Bruce Banner loses control to the Hyde-like Hulk whenever he becomes angry, yet also depends upon the Hulk's superpowers to combat villains.
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In the film and novel Fight Club, the narrator has an alter ego he loses control of, Tyler Durden.
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In the 1999 Malayalam cinema film Ustaad, written by Ranjith and directed by Sibi Malayil, actor Mohanlal plays both the characters Ustaad, an underworld don, and his alter ego Parmeshwaran, a soft-spoken businessman who leads a normal life.
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In Disney's Hannah Montana, Miley Stewart (played by Miley Cyrus), leads the life of a high school student, and the life of teen pop sensation Hannah Montana allowing her to get the best of both worlds. Likewise, Miley's friends, Lilly Truscott (played by Emily Osment) and Oliver Oken (played by Mitchel Musso), also lead the lives of high school students and are what make up Hannah's entourage, Lola Luftnagle, and Mike Stanley III respectively.
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In Pretty Little Liars, Vivian Darkbloom is the alter ego of Alison Dilaurentis.
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In Beavis and Butt-Head, Cornholio is Beavis's alter ego.
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Several famous musicians have adopted alter egos over the years, usually to indicate a new creative direction or a deep dive into their emotions removed from their popular stage persona—notable examples being David Bowie (with Ziggy Stardust and Aladdin Sane) and Prince (with Camille).
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Singer Lisa’s debut solo album titled Alter Ego showcases 5 alter egos, Vixi, Kiki, Speedi, Roxi, and Sunni. They are all associated with a color and a character in the album’s comic book of the same title. They also have songs specifically for them on the album.
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Darth Vader is considered to be Anakin Skywalker's alter ego following his fall to the dark side of The Force.
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In the 2023 Tamil Film actor Joseph Vijay plays the character Leo Das and his alter-ego Parthiban.
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The 2006 animated film Paprika features a psychologist named Atsuko and her dream-self, Paprika.
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In the video game Elden Ring, one of the most important characters, "Miquella the kind" has an alter ego called "St. Trina."
See also
