Roland Barthes

Roland Barthes was an eminent French literary critic, philosopher, and semiotician. He was born on November 12, 1915 in Cherbourg, France, and died on March 25, 1980 in Paris. Barthes is best known for his theories on semiotics, particularly his exploration of signs and symbols in cultural and literary texts. He significantly contributed to the development of structuralism, poststructuralism, and postmodernism. Barthes gained international recognition with his revolutionary book, “Mythologies,” published in 1957, which dissected cultural myths and ideological constructions present in everyday objects and popular culture. Throughout his career, he taught at numerous prestigious institutions, such as the University of Paris and the Collège de France. As a critic, Barthes constantly challenged traditional notions of literature, art, and culture, advocating for the exploration of hidden meanings, personal interpretations, and the subjectivity of perception. His works continue to influence various fields, including literary criticism, cultural studies, and media studies.