Girad_trianguläres Begehren

Introduction to René Girard's Mimetic Theory

• The work explores René Girard's theories on mimetic desire, religion, violence, communication, and world order.

• Edited by various contributors from universities across Europe, including Innsbruck, Germany, and Poland.

Elements

Cover Materials

• The cover art features "The Cheat Meinen Eltern with the Ace of Clubs" by George de la Tour, displayed in the Kimbell Art Museum.

• Inside cover photo credited to Herlinde Koelbl, indicating the meticulous design choices for the publication.

Bibliography and Publication Information

• The publication is recorded in the German National Bibliography with detailed bibliographic data available online.

• LIT Verlag published the second edition in 2012, emphasizing its academic significance.

Chapter 1: Triangular Desire

Context of Desire

• Cited literature traces the roots of mimetic desire in works like Cervantes' "Don Quijote", emphasizing the evolution of character relationships.

• The example of Amadis of Gallia as an archetype of chivalric ideals shows how characters adopt and imitate the desires of others.

Mimetic Structures

• Triangular Desire: The desire includes a subject, an object, and a mediator.

• The student examples of Don Quijote and Sancho Panza display different layers of desire influenced by each other's goals and inspirations.

• Sancho's motivations evolve as he becomes influenced by Don Quijote's chivalric ideals, indicating the complexities of desire in human relationships.

Chapter Analyses

Contrast in Character Roles

• The juxtaposition of idealist (Don Quijote) and realist (Sancho) reveals tension in their desires, leading to complex character dynamics.

• The term mediator describes the influencer in triangular relationships, crucial for their desires and motivations.

Exploration of Literature's Role

• Girard elaborates on how literature showcases the mimicry of desires, comparing this to the behaviors of certain literary characters as Flaubert illustrates in "Madame Bovary" and others.

Thematic Implications

Influences of the Mediator

• Mediators shape desires; examples include literary figures creating relationships characterized by admiration and rivalry.

• Characters often don't view their desires as original but as influenced by external figures, emphasizing their reliance on societal standards and peer pressures.

The Nature of Desire

• Girard posits that desire is not merely personal; it is socially constructed and inherently triangular. This presents challenges in relationships, evident in themes of rivalry and jealousy.

Conclusion of Chapter 1

• A culmination of the discussions showcased how mimetic desire directly influences personal relationships, revealing the complex mechanisms behind social interactions.

• The analysis serves a dual purpose: it explores individual motivations while critiquing societal norms that shape our desires and actions.

In René Girards Mimetic Theory spielt Rivalität, Neid und Eifersucht eine zentrale Rolle im Dreieck des Begehrens. Diese Emotionen sind eng mit dem Konzept des Mimetismus verbunden, da sie oft aus der Nachahmung der Wünsche anderer resultieren. In einem typischen Dreieck des Begehrens gibt es einen Subjekt (das Individuum, das begehrt), ein Objekt (das begehrte Ziel) und einen Mediator (die Person, von der das Begehren beeinflusst wird). Die Rivalität entsteht häufig, wenn mehrere Subjekte dasselbe Objekt wünschen, was zu Konflikten führen kann. Neid und Eifersucht sind emotionale Reaktionen, die auftreten, wenn das Subjekt erkennt, dass andere die begehrten Eigenschaften oder Objekte haben und versuchen, diese zu erreichen oder zu emulieren. Diese Dynamik fördert nicht nur individuelle Spannungen, sondern auch Gruppenkonflikte und gesellschaftliche Normen, die das Begehren beeinflussen und steuern. Girard betont, dass diese sozialen Konstrukte und emotionalen Reaktionen integrale Bestandteile des menschlichen Verhaltens und der Interaktion sind.