Latest Art Forum Topics:

  • help on poem thingy? (4 posts)
  • Who is the MOST FAMOUS person you have ever seen in a cloud formation? (6 posts)
  • How's this one? (10 posts)
  • my newly published poem. tell me what you think? (5 posts)
  • A Good Night Poem ... Care to comment? (12 posts)
  • Does Acrostic Rondeau sound good for supper too? (6 posts)
  • It got deleted. Will you rebel and read? (19 posts)
  • Are you bored yet? (18 posts)
  • Another Acrostic Sonnet...I think. How do I improve it? (8 posts)
  • Finally, time to go to the Central Resource Library. Wanna' go? (4 posts)
  • First line ever in a movie. How can I prepare? (5 posts)
  • How long for paper mache'? (4 posts)
  • Which Pantone Color book suit for me? (2 posts)
  • How can I improve this poem? (20 posts)
  • How can I make Part 4 better? (7 posts)
  •  

    Blind-Alley Themes ... And Others

    As indicated by the name, a blind-alley theme is one from which there is no exit. It is a problem incapable of solution, or of which all possible
    solutions are equally unsatisfactory and undesirable. The dramatist should make very sure not to be caught in this situation of equally unacceptable alternatives. Such a play wears and bores the spirit and is an artistic blunder.

    The end of a play should satisfy us inside – like our experience of truth, justice, humor, vanity of aspiration, etc. If it does not, it leaves one unfulfilled and without closure – and dissatisfied.

    Two famous plays employ blind-alley themes – “Measure for Measure” (Shakespeare) and “Monna Vanna” (Maeterlinck). Shakespeare,
    confesses the problem insoluble in the fact that he leaves it
    unsolved - evading it by means of a mediaeval trick. Isabella is forced to choose between what can only be described as two detestable evils. What is the use of presenting it? What is the artistic profit of letting the imagination play around a problem which merely baffles and repels it? Though the play contains some wonderful poetry, and has been revived from time to time, it has never taken any real hold upon popular esteem – since it does not ultimately satisfy.

    The challenge of these two themes is not merely that they are "unpleasant." It is that there is no possible way out of them that is not worse than unpleasant: humiliating and distressing. The playwright should make sure that he has some sort of satisfaction to offer the audience at the end, before he chooses to embark on a blind-alley theme.

    Examples of themes that are better to avoid:
    Marriage – over used and too conventional
    Revenge – an outworn passion of vindictiveness
    Heroic self-sacrifice – an outworn passion
    oath or promise of secrecy

    Sponsored Ads:

    Related Articles:

    Also In This Category:

    Currently Online :

    8 member(s), 18 guest(s):
    Bluberry, DawnsAwaken, Foxglove, Hunter, Pebble, SecretHoarder, SpeedDemon, TheProposal, Google, MSN.com, Cobion.com, Slurp, Speedy Spider

    Search :

    No comments yet