Course Subject: The Purpose of Art
Essay topic (situation): Imagine to be involved in the performance or production of the play. How would you approach the problem of incest and taboo and of representing incest on stage?
The essay mainly analyzes the way in which difficult topics like incest, or taboo topics in general, are addressed in literature as well as in performances on stage.
Table of Contents
1. General topic: The Purpose of Art
2. Final essay topic: Imagine to be involved in the performance or production of the play.
3. How would you approach the problem of incest and taboo and of representing incest on stage?
Objectives and Core Topics
This essay explores the function of theater as a medium for addressing socially taboo topics, specifically focusing on the representation of incest. It examines how performance techniques can mitigate the provocation associated with such delicate subjects, ultimately aiming to facilitate public enlightenment and discourse beyond the stage.
- The transformative potential of theater in addressing societal taboos.
- Comparative analysis of historical and contemporary representations of incest on stage.
- The role of "out of association character interaction" as a pedagogical performance tool.
- Ethical responsibilities in producing plays centered on sensitive, potentially traumatic themes.
- The impact of audience engagement in transforming theatrical provocation into private social dialogue.
Excerpt from the Book
The Role of Theater in Approaching Difficult Topics
Taboo topics are subjects or issues which cannot be certainly grasped. Due to social and legal regulations it is difficult to approach these topics and even more difficult to present them to an audience. However it is important to discuss these topics, because of the general lack of enlightenment about these subjects. A special topic requires a special medium or a proper tool. In fact it is not a secret that theater is a medium mostly used to touch upon matters of any kind, and especially matters which can be categorized as a blank space concerning their appearance in our society. This space needs to be filled with information, so that eventually there are as little blank spaces, or taboo topics as possible. Incest is such a taboo topic, which existence a lot of people deny by not talking about and therefore abandoning it from their mind. In this essay I will discuss the difficulty of approaching the problem of incest and taboo and the representation of incest on stage.
Theater creates opportunities to talk about difficult topics. While still delivering a message a play can at the same time take the offensive virtue when talking about a taboo topic. A great example for this way of thinking and the realization of talking about taboos by putting it on stage is the Circuito cerrado. Andrea Byrum notes, that Silvia Molina “simply did not see conveying her message in prose” when deciding for her work to be put on stage instead of the written form.
Summary of Chapters
1. General topic: The Purpose of Art: Establishes the foundational argument that theater serves as a crucial medium for filling "blank spaces" in societal discourse regarding taboo subjects.
2. Final essay topic: Imagine to be involved in the performance or production of the play.: Frames the central inquiry of how to effectively represent sensitive themes without causing undue alienation.
3. How would you approach the problem of incest and taboo and of representing incest on stage?: Explores specific performance techniques and case studies to demonstrate how theater can balance provocation with necessary social enlightenment.
Keywords
Theater, Taboo, Incest, Performance, Enlightenment, Representation, Social Discourse, Audience Engagement, Hitting Town, Silvia Molina, Ethical Decision Making, Staging, Cultural Boundaries, Narrative, Communication.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic essay?
The essay investigates the capacity of theater to act as a safe yet effective medium for introducing and discussing socially taboo topics, with a specific analytical focus on the representation of incest.
Which thematic areas are central to the work?
Central themes include the social construction of taboos, the psychological impact of incest, the ethics of dramatic representation, and the necessity of creating an "edible" or approachable context for difficult subjects.
What is the core research question addressed by the author?
The author explores how production teams can successfully bridge the gap between shocking an audience and initiating a constructive, critical dialogue regarding the taboo of incest on stage.
Which methodology does the author utilize?
The author employs a qualitative literary and theater analysis, synthesizing secondary research on drama theory with case studies of specific plays like "Hitting Town" and "Circuito cerrado."
What aspects of the theater production are covered in the main body?
The main body examines performance techniques such as "out of association character interaction," the role of the setting, and the importance of audience involvement in fostering post-show discussions.
Which keywords best encapsulate the research?
Key terms include Taboo, Theater, Incest, Enlightenment, Representation, Performance Techniques, and Audience Engagement.
How does the play "Hitting Town" handle the representation of incest?
The play uses a slow, subtle introduction to the topic, relying on character playfulness and avoiding explicit, literal representation to maintain audience sympathy while addressing the underlying issues.
Why is the "out of association" technique significant for this study?
This technique is highlighted because it creates a necessary aesthetic distance between the actors and the traumatic content, allowing the audience to process the themes without being overwhelmed by immediate shock or aversion.
- Quote paper
- Volker Hartmann (Author), 2011, Stephen Poliakoff's "Hitting Town and City Sugar": How to approach the problem of incest and taboo, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/208193
