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Jeremy Killian

Eugene O'Neill's Philosophy of Difficult Theatre: Pity, Fear, and Forgiveness

Eugene O'Neill's Philosophy of Difficult Theatre: Pity, Fear, and Forgiveness

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  • More about Eugene O'Neill's Philosophy of Difficult Theatre: Pity, Fear, and Forgiveness


Eugene ONeill's theory of tragedy prioritizes an emotional response over a rational one, and this study argues that it is a robust account of the value of difficult theatre. It challenges the cognitivist approach to tragedy and suggests that the value of a play lies in its ability to trigger emotional responses from the audience.

Format: Hardback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 03 March 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd


Through a meticulous re-examination of Eugene O'Neill's extensive oeuvre, spanning from his early plays to his Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpieces, this study proposes a novel perspective that emphasizes a specific emotional response over a more "rational" one among his audience members. In addition to presenting a fresh framework for interpreting O'Neill's work, this book contends that O'Neill's theory of tragedy offers a robust and comprehensive account of the value of challenging theater as a whole, surpassing its cognitivist counterparts in terms of explanatory scope and power. This paradigm fundamentally reshapes our understanding of the impact and significance of live theatrical tragedies in our lives.

The book initiates its exploration of tragic value by delving into the plays of Eugene O'Neill, and through this study, Killian makes a compelling argument that O'Neill has defied Plato's definition of tragedys merit, as advocated by the cognitivists. He posits that O'Neill's theory of tragedy is non-cognitive and centers around the inherent value of a play, stemming from its ability to elicit specific emotional responses from the audience.

This study holds immense interest for students and scholars engaged in the fields of performance studies, literature, and philosophy. It sheds light on O'Neill's artistic vision and challenges prevailing notions of tragedy, offering a fresh and insightful perspective that enriches our understanding of the theatrical experience.


Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367519117

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