The life and career of the American dancer and choreographer. Includes influences, personality, innovations, development, teaching and major works ("Night Journey" and "Errand into the Maze").
5,625 words (approx. 22.5 pages), 6 sources, 2000, $ 135.95
From the Paper "Martha Graham was arguably one of the greatest artists of the American tradition. She has earned a place in the company of such luminaries as Stravinski, Picasso, Joyce and Brancusi for her creation of an entirely new art form. As her contemporaries had done within their respective genres, Graham re-examined the creative possibilities of movement, gesture, composition and theatrical symbolism to expand the expressive vocabulary of dance. Through her innovative approach, she single-handedly initiated the modern dance movement.
In the 1920s, when Graham began her career as a professional dancer, the classical ballet was the dominant artistic genre. As is the case with any classical form, the ballet was, and continues to be, a highly refined tradition that offers sublime expressions of grace and beauty. Over the 300 or so years of its..."
Abstract The paper examines the role of women in this Arthur Miller adaptation of Ibsen's play, "An Enemy of the People". The paper shows how female suppression is a crucial part of the play, as well as the contrasts between the characters Petra and Mrs. Stockmann.
From the Paper "Though women are not the focus of the play, their role in An Enemy of the People is an important issue. It is important to recognize everyone's role in a literary work, because the author might be using these roles to voice some opinion or theme. In this adaptation by Arthur Miller, the subservient lives that women led during the play's era is a small, yet insightful part of the overall story. In fact, the book version of this play did a better job of handling the issue, because it was more realistic in regards to women's status in society than the performance was."
Tags: status, Randine, housewives, independent, Peter
Abstract The paper examines the drama "Six Character in Search of an Author", written by Luigi Pirandello, which is play within a play. The paper shows Pirandello's theme throughout the play that life is a script with people fixed to patterns that are evident in everyday workings of life and through the history of previous lives.
From the Paper "The drama Six Characters in Search of an Author, written by Luigi Pirandello, is a play within a play, full of reality philosophizing, which shows how people are real in the same way that characters are. These two themes are highly reflective on what it means to be a play, by comparing it to life, and what it means to be a person, by comparing what it means to be a character. The drama is an assemblage of a play, put together on the spot, when six characters enter another play's rehearsal in search of an author who will manifest their roles by writing a script to their drama. This is their one bent purpose in life, to live on the stage, in their world in which they are real. Though they seem alive, as they are in their search, they are not fulfilling the purpose of filling their roles. They need to tell their stories, they desire reaffirmation of existence and for this they need their fixed reality, the stage. Their script is this means of existence and acting the script out is a means of living or being real. People in the same way are doomed to be scripted; identical to characters, they live only within their fixed play, that which acts itself out from birth to death."
Abstract Aristotle describes the characteristics of the tragic hero in "Poetics." Three of these characteristics are: that the character is mainly admirable; that the character exercises free choice in bringing about their own downfall; and that the character has one fatal flaw that leads to their demise. This paper analyzes the character Hamlet and shows that Hamlet meets these three characteristics of the tragic hero.
From the Paper "The first of Aristotle's characteristics is that that character is mainly admirable. Hamlet achieves this by having many good traits including intelligence, sensitivity and humility. However, the best evidence of Hamlet as an admirable character is his unwillingness to commit murder, even when given a reason that would justify the act. This shows that Hamlet is basically a good man. In the play, the ghost of Hamlet's father orders him to take action and "revenge his foul and most unnatural murder" (I,iv). Despite being given what at the time, can be seen as an acceptable reason to take action, Hamlet hesitates and procrastinates. It is Hamlet's good nature and his rejection of committing murder that causes this hesitation. This represents the good qualities of Hamlet, his intelligence, his ability to be rational and the inherent goodness of his character. This also shows that Hamlet is a man who does what he believes in despite outside pressure to do otherwise. This shows that Hamlet is an admirable character in many ways."
This paper discusses how gender roles remain constant in theater throughout history by comparing "The Glass Menagerie" by Tennessee Williams and "Sure Thing" by David Ives.
Abstract This paper discusses the fact that the plays "The Glass Menagerie" and "Sure Thing" were penned almost 50 years apart and yet they rely on the same types of gender roles. The paper compares the two, using several examples from both plays, including quotes, and discusses the topics of courtship and work. The paper focuses on the main characters in "The Glass Menagerie" as well as the only two characters in "Sure Thing."
From the Paper "Nothing remains more stagnant than gender roles. Throughout history, class structure, race, and numerous other factors, the role of male and female rarely change. The man remains seen as the head of the house?hence the phrase "man of the house""the moneymaker, the one who always goes out to work, and the dominant force in a woman's life. The womanly role stays the same as well"she takes care of the kids, stays at home when someone becomes ill, and puts her needs behind those of others. "The Glass Menagerie" and "Sure Thing" stay consistent with these roles of male and female, regardless of the time period they come from and the race and class or social background of the people in the play."
Abstract The paper shows that "The Tempest", by William Shakespeare, provides an arena for much interplay between illusion and reality. This interplay is facilitated by Prospero, Duke of Milan. Prospero uses the study of magic to disillusion the other characters brought to the island by way of the tempest. This essay discusses instances of illusion and their respective impact on the play in how they bring the theme of illusion versus reality to light.
From the Paper "One of the most well-discussed themes in The Tempest is the theme of illusion versus reality. This theme initially appears as it relates to the opposing worlds of a primitive island and the civilized culture of Milan. All of the characters in this play have been brought to this island in one way or another, and they are forced to coexist in a new and unfamiliar setting. These men are accustomed to reigning over all things, yet they now find themselves in a realm where the reigning power is that of illusion. Throughout the play there can be found examples of the ever-present theme of illusion versus reality in the actions of the characters, as well as in events that take place. Some of the most important elements of the play are presented by way of illusion and, therefore, hold meaning outside of what they first appear to be. Magic plays a considerable part in the workings of the play, as do the sources of the magic. In recognizing the part played by this theme of illusion versus reality, one can more clearly understand why certain events take place in The Tempest."
Abstract This paper provides a compare and contrast analysis of "A Doll's House" by Henrik Ibsen and "Death Of A Salesman" by Arthur Miller. It discusses how both plays are about fallen families and how, in both cases, the fall occurs in proportion to the deception that the family members opt for themselves. It examines how both families try everything to tune up with society's expectations and their own wishes and dreams and how both plays tell us that most of us choose to play roles and deceive, not only those immediately and distantly around us, but also ourselves. Although the two plays end with voluntary self-annihilation, or suicide, they also end in the characters? getting released. It is only their respective deaths that put an end to their inner torments.
From the Paper "There is greater ease in reading "Death of a Salesman" than ?A Doll's House.? In the former, the struggle is towards confronting the reality of failure and compensating for it. Although Willy destroys himself to enable his son to have the money that can insure his own success, his suicide results in the release of everyone in the family, including himself, from the brunt and pain of unfulfilled ambition and financial lack. As Linda, his wife, says at the end of the play: "We"re free...? She feels redeemed from the clutches or Willy's all-consuming desire to be economically comfortable and free of unpaid-bills. His death even comes directly to pay those debts and make possible the wife's and sons? making it better in their own pursuits."
Tags: families, deception, suicide, wishes, dreams, society
From the Paper "This paper will be concerned with the Kabuki theater of Japan. It will discuss the virtuosity and techniques of the Kabuki actor, as well as the use of body language as it pertains to Japanese concepts of space. The origins of the Kabuki in Japan can be traced to the city of Kyoto in the early 17th century, A.D. Although the Kabuki is performed exclusively by men today, it was originally founded by a woman named Izumo no Okuni. Okuni led a group of women, most of whom were prostitutes, in the performance of narrative dances for the public. In this way, dance was used not just for its own sake but for the purpose of telling a story to the audience. Specifically, the gestures and body language of the dancers were used to tell the story while at the same time expressing the emotions of the characters. This was an important innovation in ... "
From the Paper "This paper will compare and contrast the fantasy worlds in Tennessee Williams' "The Glass Menagerie" and "A Streetcar Named Desire". In The Glass Menagerie, Laura is an extremely shy girl who must wear a brace on her leg. Her demanding and insensitive mother wants her to get married as soon as possible. However, Laura's insecurities and shyness make it difficult for her to function in the real world. When she is rejected in romance by Jim, her childhood idol, Laura retreats into a world of fantasy. In A Streetcar Named Desire, the character Blanche experiences a number of personal losses. Her first husband shoots himself when she refuses to accept his affair with a man. Later, many of her older relatives die, and she loses the family fortune as well as her country home. When she comes to her sister's home for refuge, Blanche has become almost anti-social with her drinking ... "
From the Paper "The purpose of this research is to examine the positions of dramatic critics and theorists on the work of Bertolt Brecht. The plan of the research will be to set forth methods that various theorists use to discuss Brecht's writings, to analyze competing political readings of his plays, and then to suggest a depoliticized reading of his work that is keyed to his aesthetic theory. As appropriate, reference will be made to the sometimes contradictory positions taken by Brecht as playwright, political personality, director of the Berliner Ensemble, and dramatic theorist.
One important theorist of Brechtian drama is Brecht himself. His explanation of what he termed epic theatre can be taken as a starting point for understanding the context in which the pattern of ideas in his work and the means by which these ideas may be..."
From the Paper "This study will examine the depiction of the character Creon in the two plays by Sophocles, Oedipus the King and Antigone. The study will argue that the portrayals of Creon in the two plays offer up serious contradictions, but in fact these are not contradictions but merely parts of a developing character.
The Creon in Oedipus the King is a far more sympathetic character than the Creon of Antigone. If we can assume---and we can do so fairly and accurately in this case---that the character did not undergo some revolutionary transformation internally in the period between the two plays, then we can conclude that he was affected by external circumstances. And, in fact, that is precisely what occurred. The major difference between the plays, with respect to the development of Creon, is that in the first play, Oedipus the King, Creon is not a powerful individual, at ..."
From the Paper "Oscar Wilde's play The Importance of Being Earnest has a title that is a play on words embodying the dichotomy in the play between reality and illusion, a dichotomy embodied as well in the main character of John Worthing, It is important for Jack to be earnest, meaning honest and aboveboard as well as open and sincere, and it is also important for him to be named "Ernest" because the woman he loves, Gwendolen, would prefer that this were so and fervently believes it to be so. Yet, in order to be named "Ernest" he has to fail at being earnest, since his name is not Ernest at all. He has been manipulating appearances and reality for some time, and he is soon to be caught in his own deceptions. The course of his travails actually leads him to a point where he can be both Ernest and earnest in reality, thus making an onest man of his in spite of himself."
Abstract The paper examines and analyzes three distinct styles of Greek drama, focusing on the Sophoclean style by giving several examples in drama history such as "Oedipus" and the modern movie, "A Few Good Men". By comparing these styles to what a modern audience expects of a film or play, the paper shows that the Sophoclean style is the most suitable for a modern production.
From the Paper "This shows the main aspect that makes the Sophoclean approach the most suitable style for a modern audience, the character focus. The Sophoclean styles focuses on the main character as the driving force of the play. This is the same approach taken by modern films and plays, where the plot of the play is based on the struggle of the main character. This usually involves a likeable character being presented with some problem and ultimately either overcoming this problem or learning from it. Importantly, the audience forms a relationship with the main character, with this involving the audience in the action. The film Titanic is a good model example of this. As history shows, the main event the movie is based on is the sinking of the ship and the drowning of hundreds of people. Yet, the film does not focus on this to engage the audience and drive the plot. Instead, the plot focuses on the story of Rose and Jack."
Tags: Antigone, Oedipus, Sophocles, Titanic, movies
Abstract This paper discusses and compares the two significant relationships portrayed in the play "Angels in America" by Tony Kushner. The characters are described in the context of their relationship, as well as outside the relationship. The paper examines the subliminal messages which are emitted from each of the four central characters, regarding their own self images. The falsity of these self images, is a central theme of the play, and conversely, allows the playwright to emphasize the importance of truth and honesty.
From the Paper "The relationship between Joe and Harper in Tony Kushner's "gay fantasia" of a play entitled "Angels in America" can be seen as parallel to the relationship of Lewis and Prior, despite both relationships? apparent dissimilarities. In both relationships, the two main characters exist in an unbalanced partnership, riddled with inequities. Only by suffering the traumas of a closeted gay relationship and the horror of AIDS does the nature of these essentially unequal and unfulfilling relationships become "outed" within the structure of the play."
Abstract This paper analyzes Shaws play from an historical and moral perspective. The title of the play refers to Mrs Warren's profession of prostitution. It explains that in the late 1800's when the play was first produced, there was a lot of outcry and calls for its censorship. The plot of the play is explained and examined for what could have been considered offensive in nature. The paper shows how morals have developed and progressed and why the play is no longer considered "shocking".
From the Paper "From the time when it was written in 1893, George Bernard Shaw's Mrs. Warren's Profession was a problem for the playwright because of censorship. The profession alluded to in the title is prostitution, and Victorians did not like to admit publicly that such a thing existed, let alone allow a play to be performed in which the activity was in some sense celebrated. Modern reaction is very different from what Shaw's contemporaries would write when the play was finally performed in 1902. Early criticism focused more on the subject matter displayed than on the play as a piece of drama, while contemporary criticism turns this around and looks at the play as a play before considering any morality involved in talking about prostitution or treating it less than harshly."
