Humanism, Drama, and Performance: Unwriting Theatre

This book explores how ideologies of humanism have appropriated theatre and theatrical performance, shaping the work of theatre and the audience's propriety. It has been regulated by three strains of critical poiesis: literary, dramatic, and theatrical, which have been used to figure the work of theatre and the audience's socializing work.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 301 pages
Publication date: 14 October 2021
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This comprehensive book delves into the profound and intricate relationship between ideologies of humanism and the appropriation of theatre and theatrical performance. Its insights resonate across various disciplines, including literary studies, drama, theatre, and performance history and studies. Throughout history, theatre has been governed by three distinct strains of critical poiesis: the literary, which segregates theatre from the humanizing work attributed to books and the internalization of reading; the dramatic, which approves theatrical performance only to the extent that it instrumentalizes literary value; and the theatrical, which assimilates performance to the conjunction of literary and liberal values. These values have not only shaped the work of theatre but also defined the propriety of the audience as a figure for its socializing work. This book explores a rich tapestry of ideas, examining how humanism has influenced the development of theatre and its role in shaping societal norms and values. It sheds light on the complex interplay between aesthetics, politics, and the human experience, offering a nuanced understanding of the profound impact of theatre on culture and society.

From Aristotle onward, theatre has been regulated by three strains of critical poiesis: the literary, which segregates theatre from the humanizing work attributed to books and the internalization of reading; the dramatic, which approves theatrical performance only to the extent that it instrumentalizes literary value; and the theatrical, which assimilates performance to the conjunction of literary and liberal values. These values have not only shaped the work of theatre but also defined the propriety of the audience as a figure for its socializing work. This book explores a rich tapestry of ideas, examining how humanism has influenced the development of theatre and its role in shaping societal norms and values. It sheds light on the complex interplay between aesthetics, politics, and the human experience, offering a nuanced understanding of the profound impact of theatre on culture and society.

Weight: 417g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030440688
Edition number: 1st ed. 2020