Psychodynamics in A Fraternal Twinship Relations

Twins have always been a fascinating sight for people to behold. In a neighborhood blessed with a set of twins, they seem to be the concern of almost every neighbor and the center of attention. As a rule, twins are recipients of more affection and attention than is the usual lot of the single born child. They are more likely to be over-protected by their doting parents. On the other hand, the birth of twins in a family may be occasion for consternation. The mixed attitude is reflected in popular superstitions and in mythology. While to some primitive people, twins are regarded as a good omen, an expression of fertility and power, an occasion for ceremonies, other tribes regard twins as abnormal and portents of ill luck, even as the work of the devil, the sacrifice of the twins being necessary to appease the evil spirit.

Considering the general interest in twins, very little is known of them in human history. In mythology (1) (2) we are told of the twins Castor and Pollux. Castor was mortal and was famous for taming and managing horses, while Pollux was immortal; he was skilled in boxing. They were united by the warmest affection and inseparable in all their enterprises. They accompanied the Argonautic Expedition. They were the patron deities of seamen and voyagers. Castor was slain in battle and Pollux begged Jupiter to let him die also. Touched by such evidence of devotion, Castor was allowed to return to life on the condition that Pollux would then spend half his time in Hades. Later Jupiter transferred both brothers to heaven, by placing them among the stars as Gemini the Twins, where they form a bright constellation, one of the signs of the Zodiac.

The Bible tells us of the twins Esau and Jacob, the former the older (by probably two minutes) preferred by the father, and the latter by the mother. Jacob, taking advantage of Esau's hunger, made Esau sell him is birthright for bread and pottage of lentils. Years later as their father, Isaac, was getting