Which of the following statements best represents Lacan's view of Ophelia in his essay, "Desire and the Interpretation of Desire in 'Hamlet'" ?
Correct answer: C. Hamlet desires Ophelia, but only when she is unattainable.
- A. Hamlet desires his mother, not Ophelia.
- B. Hamlet desires revenge, not Ophelia.
- C. Hamlet desires Ophelia, but only when she is unattainable.
- D. Hamlet desires attaining the throne of Denmark, of which Ophelia is a symbol.Collect Classic Novels
Explanation
Lacan's reading links Hamlet's desire for Ophelia to the structure of desire itself: what is desired becomes most powerful when it is absent or unattainable. Thus option c captures the psychoanalytic interpretation better than simple revenge or political ambition.
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