Desire

Definition

Desire is a complex emotional state characterized by longing or yearning for something or someone, often linked to the pursuit of satisfaction or fulfillment. In various contexts, desire can drive actions, shape identities, and reflect deeper psychological needs. In film, desire is often explored through narrative and character development, revealing how it influences relationships and personal motivations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Desire plays a critical role in Freudian theory, where it is seen as a driving force behind human behavior, often rooted in unconscious motivations.
2. In Lacanian theory, desire is never fully satisfied; instead, it perpetuates a cycle of wanting that shapes one's identity and relationships.
3. Film often portrays desire through visual imagery and symbolism, using techniques like close-ups to emphasize characters' emotional states.
4. New Queer Cinema often subverts traditional representations of desire, showcasing diverse sexual identities and challenging normative narratives around love and attraction.
5. Desire in contemporary LGBTQ+ films often reflects themes of belonging and the struggle for acceptance, highlighting both personal and societal conflicts.

Review Questions

• How do Freudian and Lacanian concepts of desire differ in their understanding of human motivation?
  • Freudian concepts view desire as rooted in the unconscious mind, particularly linked to repressed sexual urges and instinctual drives. In contrast, Lacanian theory posits that desire is shaped by the absence of a specific object, known as the 'objet petit a,' leading to an endless pursuit that cannot be fulfilled. This distinction highlights how desire influences not only personal behavior but also interpersonal relationships within the narrative context of film.
• Discuss how New Queer Cinema challenges traditional depictions of desire and sexuality in film narratives.
  • New Queer Cinema breaks away from conventional portrayals of desire by presenting complex characters whose sexual identities do not conform to mainstream norms. These films often explore themes of longing and identity through non-linear narratives and innovative storytelling techniques. By focusing on marginalized voices and diverse expressions of love, New Queer Cinema critiques heteronormativity and highlights the multiplicity of desire in contemporary society.
• Evaluate the significance of desire in shaping character arcs within both Freudian-influenced films and contemporary LGBTQ+ narratives.
  • Desire serves as a fundamental element in character development across various film genres. In Freudian-influenced films, characters often embark on journeys driven by their unfulfilled desires, leading to conflicts that reveal deeper psychological layers. Conversely, in contemporary LGBTQ+ narratives, desire is integral to understanding characters' struggles with identity and acceptance. By examining how these two approaches treat desire differently, we can see how filmmakers use this concept to engage audiences with universal themes of love, loss, and self-discovery.

Related terms

Lust: A strong craving for sexual pleasure or gratification, which can be distinct from emotional or romantic desire.

Lacanian Desire: A concept from Lacanian psychoanalysis that differentiates between 'desire' and 'need,' suggesting that desire is driven by an unattainable object of longing (the 'objet petit a').

Queer Desire: Desire that challenges traditional norms of sexuality and identity, often encompassing fluid and non-binary expressions of attraction.