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The Gift of the Gorgon as a Metadrama

  • Journal of Modern English Drama
  • Abbr : JMBARD
  • 2004, 17(2), pp.175-206
  • Publisher : 한국현대영미드라마학회
  • Research Area : Humanities > English Language and Literature > English Literature > Contemporary English Drama

Han, Sang-Ok 1

1대구가톨릭대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

This study aims to clarify the metadramatic characteristic of The Gift of the Gorgon for the better understanding of the play. Peter Shaffer reveals his artistic self-consciousness through the life of Edward as a playwright. I focused my attention on four issues in order to examine Shaffer's self-consciousness reflected in the play. They are as follows: ① a view of the drama; ② the creative process; ③ the process up to the performance after the first version of the playscript is finished; ④ the theatricality of life. Shaffer not only dramatizes these issues but also expresses his own view as a playwright.In Edward's life reality is not separated from illusion. To him, the drama is the religion which enlightens and renews the theatre audience as well as himself. Shaffer's zeal for and firm faith in the drama are reflected in Edward's view like this. But we could not conclude that Edward's despair of the drama, which causes him to die, indicates Shaffer's. Because we feel Shaffer's self-consciousness through both Helen's belief in the drama and Philip's determination as a disciple of Edward. He expresses his belief that their positive attitude towards the power of the drama helps it live forever.

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