Marcus Pound – Indirect Analysis – Lacan, Kierkegaard and Humour
 
THE LETTER 30 (Spring 2004) pages 101-110
 
In Seminar II Lacan identifies Kierkegaard as a ‘humorist’. Why did Lacan describe Kierkegaard as a humorist and not as a Christian or a melancholic? Humour played a crucial role in Kierkegaard’s critique of Hegel: rather than simply express outrage at Hegel’s project, Kierkegaard used humour to indirectly challenge him. In this paper I suggest that Kierkegaard’s indirect critique illuminates a role for humour in Lacanian analysis; and in turn, Lacanian analysis illuminates a role for humour in theology. This paper consists of four parts. First, I consider Freud and Lacan’s views of humour. Second, I look at Kierkegaard’s view of humour. Third, I compare the two in the light of analysis. Fourth, I reflect on analysis, humour, and theology.