Jacques Lacan's Psychoanalytic Theory - Lecture 13

Explore the psychoanalytic theories of Jacques Lacan in this 51-minute lecture from Yale University's Introduction to Theory of Literature course. Delve into Lacan's relationship with Freudian thought, his critique of post-Freudian ego psychology, and his groundbreaking work on "the mirror stage." Examine the intricate connections between language and the unconscious, and unpack the distinctions between desire and need through the lens of Lacanian thought. Investigate key concepts such as the point de capiton, metonymy, and metaphor, with references to literary works like Hugo's "Boaz Asleep." The lecture also touches on the influence of Lacan's ideas on contemporary thinkers like Slavoj Žižek, providing a comprehensive overview of Lacanian psychoanalytic criticism and its impact on literary theory.