Skip to main content

What are some examples of metatheatre or metadrama in Equus by Peter Shaffer? (Need a minimum of 5)

Metatheatre or metadrama refers to theatre or drama that calls attention to its status as drama, and that often contains self-referential imagery or other material that reminds the audience that the play's "realism" is in fact artificial and theatrical. Such an approach, if done well, can actually produce a very powerful theatrical experience, as the idea that theatrical artifice can be stripped bare then allows for actors' performances to really define a play's potential. One...

Metatheatre or metadrama refers to theatre or drama that calls attention to its status as drama, and that often contains self-referential imagery or other material that reminds the audience that the play's "realism" is in fact artificial and theatrical. Such an approach, if done well, can actually produce a very powerful theatrical experience, as the idea that theatrical artifice can be stripped bare then allows for actors' performances to really define a play's potential. One metatheatrical aspect of Equus involves the portrayal of horses on stage. Clearly, using live horses would be impractical for many reasons. In most productions, the horses are represented by actors wearing horse costumes (heads or masks, hooves, tails) or carrying horse puppets they move with their hands and shoulders (heads and hooves). The original Broadway production drew excellent reviews for its unusual stylized production design.


By using this metatheatrical device, the production allows the audience to free itself from having to think about horses as a physical entity and engages the imagination to consider the symbolism of horses as they loom large in the mind of the main character. The play is ultimately about mental illness, and an obsession with horses that affects a young man's sexual health and emotional stability. The play's metatheatrical stance towards representation of the horses allows a thoughtful involvement with the play's deeper issues.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the meaning of "juggling fiends" in Macbeth?

Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a... Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a sense of guilt, and that man tells him: Despair thy charm. And let the angel whom thou still hast serve...
Post a Comment
Read more

Discuss movements that were inspired by the Civil Rights Movement and list one success for each group.

African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change... African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change for their agendas. Two examples of moveme...
Post a Comment
Read more

What is the probability that a cross between parents who are both homozygous recessive for trait will have offspring that are homozygous recessive...

In the question, both parents are homozygous recessive for a trait. Therefore, the only genes present in each parent's genotype would be two copies of the recessive gene.  If these parents decide to have offspring, 100% of their children will inherit two recessive alleles and will express the recessive trait. An example of this can be demonstrated with the sickle cell anemia allele. If both parents have sickle cell anemia, then all of their offspring... In the question, both parents are homozygous recessive for a trait. Therefore, the only genes present in each parent's genotype would be two copies of the recessive gene.  If these parents decide to have offspring, 100% of their children will inherit two recessive alleles and will express the recessive trait. An example of this can be demonstrated with the sickle cell anemia allele. If both parents have sickle cell anemia, then all of their offspring will have the disease phenotype. The disease phenotype of sickle cell anemia re...
Post a Comment
Read more