An Analysis: Shaffer's"Equus"

Paper Summary:

This paper provides a scene-by-scene analysis of the play "Equus," by Peter Shaffer. The writer examines the play's characters, its non-linear structure, its forward and backward action and its main themes. A disturbing play about a psychiatrist (Martin Dysart) who thinks he can solve everything by reason and an adolescent (Alan Strang) who is filled with passion but forced by his family to leave his passion, the writer shows how Alan Strang's obsession with horses and conflicting perception of religion and sexuality derive from his mother's words, and make him abnormal. Shaffer's use of sound and light effects, and scenes such as the dream sequences to emphasize his themes is also described. The paper concludes that Shaffer is successful at portraying the psychology of characters and "Equus" is a drama in which the themes of passion, reason and worship and the ideas of "normal" and "abnormal" are linked by Shaffer in order to make his audience question their beliefs and society.

From the Paper:

"There are two main characters in the play, Martin Dysart and Alan Strang, the protagonist. While the play is Alan's story, it soon becomes Dysart's story, too. Dysart is a psychiatrist and is asked to treat Alan Strang. Dysart admits to treat Alan as a patient, believing his lawyer friend Hesther Salomon that the boy has something special. In Act I, the audiences learn that Alan comes from a Christian mother - Dora Strang - and an atheist father - Frank Strang who have arguments in agreeing how to raise Alan. Alan's mother tries to impose religion on Alan and does not avoid talking about sex as well. As he grows up and becomes a teenager, his mother's words become confusing for him."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Davis, Derek Russell. Scenes of Madness: A Psychiatrist at the Theatre New York, Routledge: 1995
• Innes, Christopher. Avant Garde Theatre, 1892-1992. New York, Routledge: 1993.
• Mc Dargh, John. "Rebuilding Fences and Opening Gates: Vergote on the Psychology of Religion." International Journal for the Psychology of Religion. Volume: 3. Issue: 2. 1993.
• Rosefeldt, Paul. The Absent Father in Modern Drama. New York: 1996.
• Shaffer, Peter. Equus. London: 1973.

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