Carl Jung and Hitler: The Myth of Wotan and German Nationalism

Adolf Hitler, the controversial figure and leader of Nazi Germany, was often referred to as a hero to the German army, although this changed after 1943 when the German army began holding Hitler responsible for the destruction caused by the Royal Air Force. The death of Jews in concentration camps is now recognized as a black chapter in German history. However, the question remains: what did Carl Gustav Jung, the renowned Swiss psychiatrist known as C. G. Jung, mean when he said that Hitler was a hero in the German myth?

Carl Gustav Jung: A Brief Overview

Carl Gustav Jung, born in 1875 and passing away in 1961, was a prominent Swiss psychiatrist and psychotherapist. He played a pivotal role in founding Analytical Psychology, influencing not just psychiatry, but also philosophy, anthropology, archaeology, literature, and religious studies. Despite his claims of no pro-Nazi stance, his writings during Hitler’s rise to power suggest some identification with the subject matter. Jung was particularly deeply absorbed in the myth of Wotan, the Germanic god who resonated strongly with the German psyche.

The Figure of Wotan

Wotan, a name derived from the Germanic word Wata, signifying the highest or most ancient, was a deity known for his role as both a wise and fierce god. Franz von Stuck's 1889 painting Wotan depicted the god as a Wild Hunter, a figure that significantly influenced Hitler’s own self-perception. This characterization aligns closely with Jung's interpretation, which points to the fundamental attribute of the German psyche that Wotan embodies.

Wotan's Return and the Modern Era

Jung believed that Wotan had disappeared with the decline of his traditional symbols, only to reappear in the modern era through figures like Hitler. For Jung, Wotan symbolizes the primal, raw, and uncontrollable aspects of the German character, the unrest and frenzy that stirs up strife. By equating Hitler with Wotan, Jung is suggesting that Hitler represents a return to this primal, unbridled German essence. In a sense, Hitler was the vessel for Wotan’s spirit, bringing him back from obscurity into history.

Hitler as a Complex Figure

In one of his candid statements, Jung said that Hitler seemed like the double of a real person, as if the man himself was somehow hiding. Jung emphasized that Hitler was not an individual but an embodiment of the collective unconscious. This perspective is intriguing because it suggests that Hitler was not driven by personal desires but by a deep-seated, cultural mindset. Note Jung’s words again: “Hitler is identified with the Gods of old; German policy is not made, it is revealed through Hitler. He is the mouthpiece of the Gods of old… He is the Sybil, the Delphic oracle.”

Hitler's Roles and Hitler's Legacy

This metaphor of Hitler as the oracle suggests that his actions and declarations were not originating from himself but from the collective consciousness of the German people. In many respects, Hitler operated as a channeller of ancient German myths, performing a role that was both sacred and profane. The letter from Hitler's press secretary, Otto Dietrich, in 1936, further solidifies this idea: “Adolf Hitler never said anything but what the people itself felt in the depths of its soul. He never did anything but what the entirety of the people wanted to do. He was not is not and never will be a dictator who forces the people to accept his personal wishes.”

The Esau and Jacob Parallels

The parallel between the biblical figures of Esau and Jacob provides additional insight into this mystical connection. Esau and Jacob, the sons of Isaac, represent contrasting aspects of human nature, with Esau embodying the wild, aggressive nature and Jacob the peaceful, intellectual nature. Esau's name, Edom, is also the root of the Edomites, the descendants of Esau. The story of Esau's vendetta against Jacob, as depicted in the Bible, mirrors the rivalry between the two figures, which Jung saw as a reflection of deep-seated cultural tensions within German society.

Hitler, in this context, can be seen as the embodiment of Esau's warring instincts, the primal forces that Jung believed needed to be harnessed and expressed in a new historical context. The myth of Wotan and the figure of Esau serve as potent symbols of the tumultuous and complex nature of German nationalism and identity during the pivotal period of the 20th century.