Frank Wedekind´s "Spring Awakening" was undoubtedly a real shocker for its time. Still today every director and actor ask themselves how to approach this extraordinary piece of drama.
This paper examines from a queer and psychoanalytic perspectve the personality construction of the two major characters Melchior and Wendla and comes to a serious conclusion which is of interdisciplinary importance.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- I. Introduction
- II. Sexual Oppression in Spring Awakening
- 1. The Term
- 2. The Role of the Mothers
- 3. The Role of the Fathers
- III. Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay examines the impact of parental education on the personality development of Melchior and Wendla in Frank Wedekind's Spring Awakening. It explores the play's themes of sexual suppression and the contrasting desire for sex education, analyzing the characters' experiences within the context of "queer" theory.
- The influence of societal norms and parental upbringing on the characters' understanding of sexuality
- The impact of sexual suppression on the characters' personal development and identity formation
- The role of the mothers in shaping their children's views on sexuality and morality
- The contrast between the characters' desire for knowledge and the limitations imposed by societal expectations
- The use of "queer" theory to analyze the play's portrayal of sexuality and gender roles
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
I. Introduction
The introduction establishes the context of the essay, highlighting Spring Awakening's significance as a piece of art that reflects the social and cultural landscape of late 19th and early 20th century Germany. The author discusses the play's themes of sexual suppression and the desire for sex education, setting the stage for an analysis through the lens of "queer" theory.
II. Sexual Oppression in Spring Awakening
1. The Term
This section defines sexuality and explores the historical context of sexual oppression, focusing on Michel Foucault's Repressive Hypothesis. The author argues that the prohibition of sexuality actually leads to greater discourse and interest in the topic.
2. The Role of the Mothers
This section analyzes the mothers' role in shaping their children's understanding of sexuality. It examines the character of Frau Bergmann and her restrictive approach to Wendla's sexual curiosity, highlighting the generational transmission of shame and the impact of societal expectations on female characters in the play.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Alexander Löwen (Autor:in), 2013, Queer Theory and Drama, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/231087
