Beckett, Lacan and the Gaze

The gaze is a central structuring element of Samuel Becketts creation, but it takes the form of a strangely impersonal visual dimension testifying to the absence of an original exchange of gazes. Masks and closed spaces show the visible to be opaque and devoid of any beyond, while light and darkness, spectres, reveal a realm beyond the confines of identity. Becketts use of audio-visual media deepens his exploration of the irreducibly real part of existence that escapes seeing.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 610 pages
Publication date: 08 December 2021
Publisher: ibidem-Verlag, Jessica Haunschild u Christian Schon

The gaze, a vital component in Samuel Beckett's artistic creation, assumes a central role as a structuring element. However, it manifests as a strangely impersonal visual dimension, indicating the absence of an original exchange of gazes capable of establishing personal identity and unlocking the world of desire. The breakdown of conventional reality and the emphasis on visual devices such as eyes, mirrors, and windows highlight the lack of a unified representation. Masks and closed spaces render the visible opaque, devoid of any transcendent quality, while light and darkness, specters, and manifestations without origin reveal a realm beyond the confines of identity. Becketts' utilization of audio-visual media further deepens his exploration of the irreducibly real aspect of existence that eludes visual perception. This comprehensive study examines these essential aspects of the visual in Beckett's work, providing a framework for understanding the imaginary as rooted in the fundamental opacity of existence through the theoretical elaborations of Jacques Lacan, in conjunction with corresponding developments in the history and philosophy of the visual arts.

Weight: 666g
ISBN-13: 9783838212395