A Lacanian Analysis Of Prospero As The Big Other In The Tempest By Shakespeare

Abstract: This study intends to prove how Prospero, the central character in Shakespeare’s The Tempest (1610-1611), embodies Jacques Lacan’s concept of the “big Other” a symbolic authority that governs a subject’s desire, identity, and social norms. By applying it, this study demonstrates how Prospero, through his use of language, magic, and psychological manipulation, establishes and maintains the symbolic order on the island and thus effectively controls the behaviors, desires, and identities of the other characters (subjects) in the play. Through a close reading of the text, this study shows that Prospero’s role as the “big Other” is crucial to understanding the dynamics of power, i.e., how his authority extends beyond physical dominance to shape the very reality within which the characters exist. This analysis offers a fresh perspective on the mechanisms of authority and control in The Tempest. The findings of this study contribute to the field of psychoanalytic literary criticism by stressing the relevance of Lacanian theory in interpreting Shakespeare’s work, as well as suggest that further applications of Lacanian theory to Shakespeare’s works could enhance our understanding of the complex dynamics of control and desire in these texts. Keywords: Shakespeare, Tempest, Prospero, Lacan, Symbolic