Interpreting the playInterpreting the play

Man and natureMan and nature Man and societyMan and society Universal theme of an abstract natureUniversal theme of an abstract nature Family relationshipFamily relationship Special family relationshipsSpecial family relationships

Interpreting the playInterpreting the play

When we analyze a play we are not merely When we analyze a play we are not merely concerned with the functioning of its various concerned with the functioning of its various necessary components such as action, necessary components such as action, characters, structure, and pattern of characters, structure, and pattern of imagery.imagery.

When we interpret a play for the first time, it When we interpret a play for the first time, it helps to keep in mind certain basic human helps to keep in mind certain basic human relationships which playwrights are apt to relationships which playwrights are apt to explore.explore.

Man and NatureMan and Nature

Most playwrights explore the relationship Most playwrights explore the relationship between man and natural world in one way between man and natural world in one way or another; obviously some plays do not or another; obviously some plays do not really touch on this relationship at all.really touch on this relationship at all.

Let us remember that some plays will stress Let us remember that some plays will stress the benevolent or mutually beneficial the benevolent or mutually beneficial relationship between man and nature.relationship between man and nature.

Man and societyMan and society

While it is given assumption that all While it is given assumption that all playwrights of any significance have playwrights of any significance have something to say about man, the other half something to say about man, the other half of thematic equation changes. of thematic equation changes.

Thus many plays address themselves to the Thus many plays address themselves to the nature of the relationship between man and nature of the relationship between man and society.society.

Man and societyMan and society

Sometimes this is done in timeless, universal Sometimes this is done in timeless, universal terms—stating, for example, that man always has, terms—stating, for example, that man always has, presently does, and always will hate society presently does, and always will hate society because it restricts his freedom of personal action. because it restricts his freedom of personal action. Other times the theme will be more timely; the Other times the theme will be more timely; the playwright will direct our attention to the playwright will direct our attention to the relationship between man and the particular relationship between man and the particular contemporary society in which the playwright and contemporary society in which the playwright and audience presently live.audience presently live.

Universal themes of an abstract Universal themes of an abstract naturenature

The relationships between man and society and The relationships between man and society and between man and nature can be discussed in between man and nature can be discussed in fairly concrete terms; other themes are more fairly concrete terms; other themes are more abstract and our interpretations of them are also abstract and our interpretations of them are also therefore more abstract. It is difficult to discuss therefore more abstract. It is difficult to discuss death as a theme in anything other than abstract death as a theme in anything other than abstract terms. Death is of course not the only universal terms. Death is of course not the only universal theme of an abstract nature. We can interpret theme of an abstract nature. We can interpret plays having to do with freedom, morality, love etc.plays having to do with freedom, morality, love etc.

Family and relationshipsFamily and relationships

There are countless plays that are aimed at the There are countless plays that are aimed at the delineation of common human relationships, delineation of common human relationships, particularly those between particular members of particularly those between particular members of particular families.particular families.

There are certain universal patterns of family There are certain universal patterns of family relationships such as the harmfully possessive relationships such as the harmfully possessive mother, the jealous brother etc…and our mother, the jealous brother etc…and our interpretation of a play can be made more interpretation of a play can be made more accurate often simply by considering whether or accurate often simply by considering whether or not a particular family relationship is typical or not a particular family relationship is typical or highly differenthighly different

Special family relationshipsSpecial family relationships

There are some themes which only concern There are some themes which only concern themselves with very special family themselves with very special family relationships. Incest, for example, is an relationships. Incest, for example, is an atypical dramatic problem. A play dealing atypical dramatic problem. A play dealing with incest and delineating a theme having with incest and delineating a theme having to do with that incest is immediately a to do with that incest is immediately a special kind of play.special kind of play.