Freud, Lacan, and the Oedipus complex

Date
2011-12
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: “Freud, Lacan, and the Oedipus Complex” examines the Oedipus complex as found in the writing of Sigmund Freud and re-evaluated in the works of Jacques Lacan. Lacan‟s critical reappraisal of the Oedipus complex is captured in his 1969-1971 Seminars, published as The Other Side of Psychoanalysis(2007). This thesis examines Freud‟s overemphasis of the Oedipus complex, the myth of the primal horde and the consequent depiction of the father. Lacan doesn‟t dismiss the Oedipus complex completely, but treats it as a dream, and reinterprets it in light of Freud‟s The Interpretation of Dreams (1900). Lacan focuses on Freud‟s overemphasis on the father in both the Oedipus complex and the myth of the primal horde and illustrates how Freud is protecting the image of the father by depicting him as strong, whereas clinical experience shows that the father can be weak and fallible.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: “Freud, Lacan, and the Oedipus Complex” ondersoek die Oedipus kompleks, soos beskryf in die werk van Sigmund Freud en die beskrywing daarvan in die werk van Jacques Lacan. Lacan se kritiese herevaluasie van die Oedipus kompleks verskyn in sy 1969-1971 Seminare, gepubliseer as The Other Side of Psychoanalysis(2007). Die tesis studeer Freud se oorbeklemtoning van die Oedipus kompleks, die oer-miete en die rol van die vader, ten spyte van die ongerymdhede en kliniese tekortkominge in sy uitbeelding van die vader-figuur. Lacan verwerp nie die Oedipus kompleks ten volle nie, maar kontekstualiseer dit in terme van ʼn droom en herinterpreteer dit in lig van Freud se The Interpretation of Dreams (1900). Lacan fokus op Freud se oorbeklemtoning van die vader in beide die Oedipus kompleks en die oer-miete en illustreer hoe Freud die beeld van die vader probeer beskerm deur hom as sterk uit te beeld, veral wanneer kliniese ervaring wys dat die vader swak en feilbaar is.
Description
Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2011.
Keywords
Lacan, Jacques,1901-1981, Freud, Sigmund,1856-1939, Oedipus complex, Psychoanalysis, Theses -- Philosophy, Dissertations -- Philosophy
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