THE SECOND COMING: REPETITION AND INSATIABLE DESIRE IN THE SONG OF SONGS

Abstract

AbstractHow might Jacques Lacan and Slavoj´ i°ek read the Song of Songs? Perversely, I suggest. After determining the appropriateness of these two partners, particularly because of the importance of desire in Lacanian psychoanalysis, I tarry for a time with Lacan and ´ i°ek in order to identify the main features of Lacan's thought on desire. It turns out that it is intimately connected with repetition, and, by investigating some of the major items of Lacanian theory-fortda, (M)Other, graph of desire, rim, Law, pain, jouissance, desire of desire-the relation between desire and repetition is established. Equipped with this distinctively perverse set of toys, I then read the Song itself in three stages. The triggers of desire are located in the function of edges, rims, Law, pain and the (M)Other. Repetition is investigated in terms of structure, phrases and words, descriptions, and content. Finally I ask the haunting question: che vuoi? What do you really want?