The Joker and Erotomania

[Oz67]

Does The Joker have Erotomania?

After watching Batman, I analyzed Joker's behavior and his belief system, I wondered if he had Erotomania.

He is so obsessed with Batman and thinks Batman is in a relationship with him. His thinking and obsession about relationships with Batman is pathological.

 

[Calrid]

The Joker i think is obsessed with Batman not because of erotomania more because he sees Batman as a sort of antithesis of his own ideals. Where Batman is obsessed with law and order the Joker is obsessed with chaos and disorder. Think of it like M Night Shyamilans idea that for every super hero, there has to be an anti hero. There's an invulnerable superhero and then there is someone who is glass and easilly broken.

 

[Luca]

Is erotomania an obsession with sexual stuff?

 

[Oz67]

Is erotomania an obsession with sexual stuff?

It can be, but it's a delusion of that someone not in relationship with you is in a relationship with you.

 

[Luca]

It can be, but it's a delusion of that someone not in relationship with you is in a relationship with you.

Ok thanks for explaining!

 

[Misery]

Honestly I think a line from the old Batman animated series sort of sums it up best: "Without Batman, crime has no punchline". And combine that with another line (which I'm probably going to butcher, memory not so good) from The Dark Knight: "Kill you? Why would I kill you? You complete me!"

It's not a "love" or romantic relationship sort of thing... though it IS twisted (of course). The Joker needs Batman in his life, or in his eyes, there's just no point to anything that he's doing... no fun to it, no satisfaction, no reason. The rivalry between them is important there as well.

Of course all of that varies WILDLY depending on the writer. Which is one of the problems I always have with comic book characters. There are some depictions of the Joker where he absolutely *does* want Batman dead, where Batman holds no actual importance to him and is just in the way. Very inconsistent, but then, so are all the other characters thanks to that. Just part of comic books and related things, I guess.

 

[Oz67]

Honestly I think a line from the old Batman animated series sort of sums it up best: "Without Batman, crime has no punchline". And combine that with another line (which I'm probably going to butcher, memory not so good) from The Dark Knight: "Kill you? Why would I kill you? You complete me!"

It's not a "love" or romantic relationship sort of thing... though it IS twisted (of course). The Joker needs Batman in his life, or in his eyes, there's just no point to anything that he's doing... no fun to it, no satisfaction, no reason. The rivalry between them is important there as well.

Of course all of that varies WILDLY depending on the writer. Which is one of the problems I always have with comic book characters. There are some depictions of the Joker where he absolutely *does* want Batman dead, where Batman holds no actual importance to him and is just in the way. Very inconsistent, but then, so are all the other characters thanks to that. Just part of comic books and related things, I guess.

His conduct is similar to Erotomania, some kind of delusion.

 

[Fino]

According to WebMD, "Erotomania is when you think someone is in love with you but they're not."
"

 

[SusanLR]

Batman and Joker are like Chess opponents, IMO.

 

[Misery]

How about a quick video moment with them:

Yeah I couldnt resist showing that here after finding it like 5 minutes ago.

 

[Captain Jigglypuff]

I think that the Joker is actually in love with Batman and does all of those crazy things to get his attention. The evidence is pretty much there. When people have a crush or are secretly in love with another person, they tend to do almost anything to grab their love interest’s attention. Harley Quinn was his beard as he never reciprocated the love she gave him and was mostly there to be his lackey.

 

[Nervous Rex]

I think it was addressed directly in the Lego Batman movie:

I wouldn't say the Joker has eratomania (a love obsession), but the opposite - perhaps a phobomania (a hatred obsession).

It seems to be a common pattern with hero comics and TV shows - the good guy foils the bad guy enough times that the bad guy stops trying to gain something and focuses solely on destroying the good guy.