THEATRE AND HUMAN EXPRESSIONTHEATRE AND HUMAN EXPRESSION

Glenn Wilson PhDGlenn Wilson PhD

King’s College LondonKing’s College London

WHAT IS THEATRE?WHAT IS THEATRE? An arena in which we can An arena in which we can playplay – act out fears and – act out fears and

fantasies, test ideas and gain vicarious experience. fantasies, test ideas and gain vicarious experience. (From Greek (From Greek theatrontheatron = “seeing place”). = “seeing place”).

In broad sense, refers to In broad sense, refers to films and TVfilms and TV as well as live as well as live theatre – any sort of entertainment that includes theatre – any sort of entertainment that includes performers and audience and draws upon performers and audience and draws upon imagination. imagination.

Focuses on Focuses on humanhuman conflictconflict – helps us see things – helps us see things from the point of view of others; to observe how they from the point of view of others; to observe how they deal with their problems, whether adaptively or self-deal with their problems, whether adaptively or self-destructively.destructively.

Brings Brings magicmagic & & thrillsthrills into our ordinary, mundane into our ordinary, mundane lives, whether disturbing (tragedy), ridiculous lives, whether disturbing (tragedy), ridiculous (comedy), or romantic (musicals).(comedy), or romantic (musicals).

Modern civilization has become overly safe - we need Modern civilization has become overly safe - we need to “rock the boat”/test the alarms (yet within a safe to “rock the boat”/test the alarms (yet within a safe context). context).

Gives chance to Gives chance to rehearse reactions to rare, rehearse reactions to rare, dreaded occurrencesdreaded occurrences (e.g., rape, earthquake, death (e.g., rape, earthquake, death of a loved one) – prepares us to cope with the of a loved one) – prepares us to cope with the actuality of such events.actuality of such events.

DRACULA ON THE COUCHDRACULA ON THE COUCHThe myth of The myth of Dracula Dracula - perhaps the most popular- perhaps the most popularhorror theme ever - makes an interesting case study.horror theme ever - makes an interesting case study.It derives from several widespread C18th fears:It derives from several widespread C18th fears:(1) the (1) the werewolf werewolf legend – half-human beast that changeslegend – half-human beast that changes form in darkness.form in darkness.(2) (2) pacts with the devilpacts with the devil, the soul being traded for immortality., the soul being traded for immortality.(3) Tales of (3) Tales of blood-sucking batsblood-sucking bats that transmit rabies (infection) that transmit rabies (infection)(4) episodes of people “coming back to life” after (4) episodes of people “coming back to life” after misdiagnosismisdiagnosis of deathof death and hasty burial in shallow graves and hasty burial in shallow graves ((the undeadthe undead).).Modelled on Modelled on Vlad the ImpalerVlad the Impaler, son of a bloodthirsty Romanian , son of a bloodthirsty Romanian

ruler dubbed ruler dubbed DraculDracul (dragon); Vlad himself was called (dragon); Vlad himself was called DraculaDracula (son of the dragon). (son of the dragon).

Central to modern Dracula stories is the Central to modern Dracula stories is the seduction metaphorseduction metaphor. . Tall, dark, taciturn stranger appears suddenly in bedroom Tall, dark, taciturn stranger appears suddenly in bedroom of buxom maiden, fixes her with compelling eyes, and with of buxom maiden, fixes her with compelling eyes, and with great authority penetrates a vulnerable part of her body, great authority penetrates a vulnerable part of her body, drawing blood and claiming her eternal devotion (Jane drawing blood and claiming her eternal devotion (Jane Austen plus the frisson of fear).Austen plus the frisson of fear).

CATHARSISCATHARSIS Refers to the Refers to the purging of pent-uppurging of pent-up emotionsemotions that supposedly that supposedly

follows from immersion in tragic drama (from Greek for follows from immersion in tragic drama (from Greek for “purification”).“purification”).

C.f. Freudian idea of C.f. Freudian idea of abreactionabreaction – neurosis is relieved by – neurosis is relieved by bringing repressed trauma to awareness (by hypnosis, free bringing repressed trauma to awareness (by hypnosis, free association, dream analysis, etc).association, dream analysis, etc).

PsychodramaPsychodrama combines elements of Greek theatre and combines elements of Greek theatre and psychoanalysis – a kind of group psychotherapy based on role-psychoanalysis – a kind of group psychotherapy based on role-playing and dramatic improvisation of troubling life situations playing and dramatic improvisation of troubling life situations relevant to the clients. relevant to the clients.

Safe distanceSafe distance hypothesis - catharsis occurs when distressing hypothesis - catharsis occurs when distressing feelings are awakened within a context that is recognised as feelings are awakened within a context that is recognised as safe (it’s only a play). safe (it’s only a play).

Research on Research on debriefing therapy for PTSDdebriefing therapy for PTSD suggests that suggests that passive re-exposure to original trauma is unhelpful – some kind passive re-exposure to original trauma is unhelpful – some kind of cognitive restructuring is necessary, with emotions reframed of cognitive restructuring is necessary, with emotions reframed as less threatening. as less threatening.

Theatre may help put our own problems in Theatre may help put our own problems in perspectiveperspective – – others have experienced equal or greater distress, so we are others have experienced equal or greater distress, so we are not alone.not alone.

VIOLENCE IN THE MEDIAVIOLENCE IN THE MEDIA The theory of catharsis has been appliedThe theory of catharsis has been applied to the effects of media violence. Suggestedto the effects of media violence. Suggested that viewing violence that viewing violence reducesreduces the need the need to act violently in real life.to act violently in real life. Most research, however, indicatesMost research, however, indicates that viewing violence that viewing violence increases increases real violence,real violence, through through imitationimitation and and desensitisation.desensitisation. Especially true when the implied Especially true when the implied messagemessage is that violence is a normal way of resolving disputes.is that violence is a normal way of resolving disputes. There are There are individual differencesindividual differences in susceptibility to the in susceptibility to the media/violence effect – not everybody is affected.media/violence effect – not everybody is affected. Sex in the mediaSex in the media probably follows the same rules – probably follows the same rules –

messagesmessagesregarding what is normal are derived -may include regarding what is normal are derived -may include

dangerousdangerous““myths” (e.g., women ultimately enjoy being raped).myths” (e.g., women ultimately enjoy being raped).

CATHARSIS AS DESENSITISATIONCATHARSIS AS DESENSITISATION If exposure to horror and fear is cathartic in If exposure to horror and fear is cathartic in

that anxiety is reduced, why would the same that anxiety is reduced, why would the same not apply to anger and hostility? Why would not apply to anger and hostility? Why would media violence not decrease its real life media violence not decrease its real life manifestation?manifestation?

Violence is not always associated with anger – Violence is not always associated with anger – sometimes a cold-blooded attempt to gain sometimes a cold-blooded attempt to gain advantage, hence often no emotion to be advantage, hence often no emotion to be “purged” (e.g., bank robbery).“purged” (e.g., bank robbery).

What might be reduced by repeated exposure What might be reduced by repeated exposure to violent images is to violent images is fear of the fear of the consequences of acting violentlyconsequences of acting violently, to oneself , to oneself and others (this is what is called and others (this is what is called desensitisationdesensitisation)). .

Similarly, viewers may become desensitised to Similarly, viewers may become desensitised to the possible negative consequences of the possible negative consequences of promiscuity or rape. promiscuity or rape.

STRENGTH OF THE MEDIA/VIOLENCE STRENGTH OF THE MEDIA/VIOLENCE EFFECTEFFECT

Some reviewers have questioned theSome reviewers have questioned the

strength of the association between strength of the association between

media violence and violent behaviour.media violence and violent behaviour.

Meta-analysis by Huesmann (2007)Meta-analysis by Huesmann (2007)

showed that the effect size isshowed that the effect size is

greater than many other recognized greater than many other recognized

threats to public health – in fact,threats to public health – in fact,

second only to the link betweensecond only to the link between

smoking and lung cancer.smoking and lung cancer.

COPYCAT KILLERSCOPYCAT KILLERSColumbine SchoolColumbine School shootingshooting : : one of many incidents where similarities one of many incidents where similarities were noted with particular video material, were noted with particular video material, which was thus blamed for the atrocity.which was thus blamed for the atrocity.

Direct cause and effect is, however, Direct cause and effect is, however, hard to establish:hard to establish:(1) There are so many violent movies around(1) There are so many violent movies around that similarities are bound to occur (often itthat similarities are bound to occur (often it turns out the suspect has never seen theturns out the suspect has never seen the material they are said to have copied). material they are said to have copied). (2) Serial killers seek out fictional material that (2) Serial killers seek out fictional material that locks into (supports) their deviant fantasies.locks into (supports) their deviant fantasies.(3) Atrocities occur without any apparent link (3) Atrocities occur without any apparent link to violent media (e.g. Dunblane).to violent media (e.g. Dunblane).

What spree killers have in common is an interest in guns and access What spree killers have in common is an interest in guns and access to them, a sense of impotence, social alienation and fantasies of to them, a sense of impotence, social alienation and fantasies of nihilism. If media exposure is involved it is likely to be a nihilism. If media exposure is involved it is likely to be a cumulative “drip, drip” effect, rather than direct copying.cumulative “drip, drip” effect, rather than direct copying.

CENSORSHIPCENSORSHIP Evidence that media violence Evidence that media violence

increases violence in real life leads increases violence in real life leads to calls for censorship.to calls for censorship.

Problem is who decides what is Problem is who decides what is right for whom? right for whom?

Authorities usually defend the Authorities usually defend the status quo, seeking to suppress status quo, seeking to suppress “revolutionary” art.“revolutionary” art.

Religious texts are often connected Religious texts are often connected linked to atrocities, but few seek to linked to atrocities, but few seek to censor them (mostly used to censor them (mostly used to justifyjustify the actthe act – – not the root cause). not the root cause).

Rock music and idols represent Rock music and idols represent teenage rebellion – hence bound to teenage rebellion – hence bound to rattle the parental generation.rattle the parental generation.

What is probably important is the What is probably important is the moral or attitude conveyed rather moral or attitude conveyed rather than the words or imagery per se. than the words or imagery per se. (e.g., “might is right”). (e.g., “might is right”).

EXPOSURE OF THE EXPOSURE OF THE AUTHORAUTHOR Dramatists draw on personal experience and conflicts Dramatists draw on personal experience and conflicts

to create characters and situations - hence betray to create characters and situations - hence betray personal preoccupations.personal preoccupations.

In opera, Puccini featured frail, tragic women, Britten In opera, Puccini featured frail, tragic women, Britten misunderstood boys, Verdi fathers losing daughters, misunderstood boys, Verdi fathers losing daughters, Mozart sexual infidelity and Wagner the quest for Mozart sexual infidelity and Wagner the quest for ideals ideals

(connected to own life problems).(connected to own life problems). W.S. Gilbert seemed obsessed with torture, W.S. Gilbert seemed obsessed with torture, executions and matronly women – probablyexecutions and matronly women – probably excited as much as horrified him.excited as much as horrified him. Phantom of the Opera - Phantom of the Opera - autobiographical for autobiographical for Andrew Lloyd Weber ? Andrew Lloyd Weber ? Appeal of a play depends on the author’sAppeal of a play depends on the author’s fantasies being widely shared by audience fantasies being widely shared by audience (e.g. Hamlet’s unresolved Oedipus Complex;(e.g. Hamlet’s unresolved Oedipus Complex; Macbeth’s ambitious wife).Macbeth’s ambitious wife).

CREATIVITY AND CREATIVITY AND MADNESSMADNESS You don’t have to be mad to be creative…You don’t have to be mad to be creative…

but it may help. Anecdotally, there are but it may help. Anecdotally, there are strong links between bipolar disorder strong links between bipolar disorder (esp. the manic phase) and artistic output (esp. the manic phase) and artistic output in music, drama and painting. in music, drama and painting.

Some empirical support – e.g., children of Some empirical support – e.g., children of BD patients score higher on creativity BD patients score higher on creativity tests – hence a genetic link. May be tests – hence a genetic link. May be mediated by dopamine, a brain chemical mediated by dopamine, a brain chemical concerned with reward and arousal, concerned with reward and arousal, which promotes loose associations which promotes loose associations (bizarre ideas). Some (by chance?) (bizarre ideas). Some (by chance?) appear as genius.appear as genius.

Meta-analysis of research literature Meta-analysis of research literature suggests that link between creativity and suggests that link between creativity and madness may be over-egged; 15/29 madness may be over-egged; 15/29 studies failed to find any (Waddell, 1998). studies failed to find any (Waddell, 1998).

Appearance of connection may be Appearance of connection may be enhanced by profile and eloquence of enhanced by profile and eloquence of certain famous people. certain famous people.

ARCHETYPAL THEMESARCHETYPAL THEMES Certain images/ideas are of such Certain images/ideas are of such

survival significance that we store survival significance that we store prototypes in the brain predisposing prototypes in the brain predisposing us to react in certain ways to them – us to react in certain ways to them – infant’s cry, human face, mating infant’s cry, human face, mating signals (signals (innateinnate releasing releasing mechanismsmechanisms). ).

Wagner and Jung (among others) Wagner and Jung (among others) noted that myths around the world noted that myths around the world repeat quintessential characters repeat quintessential characters and situations that connect with and situations that connect with human nature in profound ways human nature in profound ways ((archetypesarchetypes).).

Idea of a Idea of a dragondragon appears in myths appears in myths and fairy tales of all cultures, and fairy tales of all cultures, predating discovery of dinosaur predating discovery of dinosaur fossils – may represent residual fear fossils – may represent residual fear dating from early mammal struggles dating from early mammal struggles with giant reptiles. Prehistoric with giant reptiles. Prehistoric terror emerges in popularity of films terror emerges in popularity of films like like Jurassic ParkJurassic Park..

THE HERO’S JOURNEYTHE HERO’S JOURNEY The Hero With a Thousand Faces The Hero With a Thousand Faces Joseph Campbell (1949) outlined a Joseph Campbell (1949) outlined a

central story in literature/drama – the central story in literature/drama – the epic journey of a brave, if naïve, young epic journey of a brave, if naïve, young man who battles against tremendous man who battles against tremendous odds to achieve self-knowledge, odds to achieve self-knowledge, manhood, wealth, love or social manhood, wealth, love or social deliverance.deliverance.

Typical sequenceTypical sequence: : (1) Begins in (1) Begins in ordinary worldordinary world – hero is – hero is

innocent;innocent; often lost parents, or parentage often lost parents, or parentage

unusual.unusual.(2) (2) Call to adventureCall to adventure – initially refused. – initially refused. (3) (3) Meets a mentor -Meets a mentor - teaches true destiny teaches true destiny

&& elicits previously unrecognised elicits previously unrecognised

powers.powers.(4) (4) Trials &Trials & acquisition of skillsacquisition of skills needed needed

for the journey. for the journey. (5) (5) Supreme ordealSupreme ordeal - dragon slain/maiden - dragon slain/maiden

lain.lain.(6) (6) Return in triumphReturn in triumph with enhanced with enhanced

power and self-knowledge – saves the power and self-knowledge – saves the world.world.

CAMPBELL’S “MONOMYTH”

STAR WARS : A DELIBERATE MONOMYTHSTAR WARS : A DELIBERATE MONOMYTH Wagner’s Wagner’s Ring CycleRing Cycle was a was a

deliberate pastiche of the hero’s deliberate pastiche of the hero’s journey as distilled from the journey as distilled from the myths and sagas of many myths and sagas of many cultures – settings, characters & cultures – settings, characters & conflicts were conflicts were infantile,infantile, ancestral ancestral and timeless.and timeless.

For For Star Wars, Star Wars, George Lucas George Lucas consulted Campbell in drafting consulted Campbell in drafting characters and situations that characters and situations that were archetypal. In Jungian were archetypal. In Jungian terms, Luke Skywalker is the terms, Luke Skywalker is the ego ego (hero)(hero), Princess Leia the , Princess Leia the anima anima ((female spirit), Han Solo the female spirit), Han Solo the animusanimus (male spirit), Darth Vader (male spirit), Darth Vader the the Shadow Shadow (dark side of the (dark side of the self), and Obi wan Kenobi the self), and Obi wan Kenobi the Sage Sage (mentor)(mentor)..

The adventures of Siegfried and The adventures of Siegfried and Skywalker respectively follow the Skywalker respectively follow the typical pattern of the hero’s typical pattern of the hero’s journey. journey.

London based film analyst and script consultant Kal Bashir maintains that most blockbusters follow a similar template, corresponding to the Campbell monomyth.

HOW TO SCRIPT A FILM

THE APPEAL OF THE MONOMYTHTHE APPEAL OF THE MONOMYTHThe drive toward mastery and achievement, The drive toward mastery and achievement, to conquer enemies and win love and to conquer enemies and win love and admiration is rife in men. Womenadmiration is rife in men. Womendream of the knight in shining armour whodream of the knight in shining armour whowill bear them away from drudgery and strife,will bear them away from drudgery and strife,protect and support them forever. protect and support them forever.

The monster from whom the maiden is liberatedThe monster from whom the maiden is liberatedmay represent a restrictive father – hence may represent a restrictive father – hence sexual sexual awakeningawakening is a common theme. The standard plot is a common theme. The standard plotin comic opera is “ the guardian outwitted”, or in comic opera is “ the guardian outwitted”, or ““there’s no fool like and old fool”. An oldthere’s no fool like and old fool”. An oldman is tricked out of his claim to a young woman by a young pretender and his man is tricked out of his claim to a young woman by a young pretender and his

accomplices.accomplices.

Society has a need of Society has a need of saviourssaviours – exceptional people who will deliver them from evil. If – exceptional people who will deliver them from evil. If they don’t exist they will be invented (c.f. they don’t exist they will be invented (c.f. The Life of BrianThe Life of Brian). People look for idols ). People look for idols in sport, music, politics and religion, as well as in literature/drama.in sport, music, politics and religion, as well as in literature/drama.

Concern with the Concern with the genetic background of the herogenetic background of the hero has obvious evolutionary has obvious evolutionary significance. Within limits, exceptional humans can be bred like racehorses, so significance. Within limits, exceptional humans can be bred like racehorses, so parents who are themselves exceptional are the most likely source of the hero. parents who are themselves exceptional are the most likely source of the hero. However, we are often reminded that a genius or leader may be spawned of However, we are often reminded that a genius or leader may be spawned of ordinary, unprepossessing parents, and the hero may emerge from the most ordinary, unprepossessing parents, and the hero may emerge from the most unlikely places – a lowly stable, a flying saucer, or a Swiss patents office.unlikely places – a lowly stable, a flying saucer, or a Swiss patents office.

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

Recurring characters/themes in theatre, Recurring characters/themes in theatre, film & literature reveal human nature.film & literature reveal human nature.

This nature reflects deep-seated This nature reflects deep-seated instincts that have served our survival instincts that have served our survival since prehistory.since prehistory.

Theatre is a higher cultural activity Theatre is a higher cultural activity marking our imagination, creativity, and marking our imagination, creativity, and humanity, while at the same time a humanity, while at the same time a reminder of our animal origins.reminder of our animal origins.

BIBLIOGRAPHYBIBLIOGRAPHY

Wilson, G.D. (2002) Wilson, G.D. (2002) Psychology for Performing Psychology for Performing Artists (2Artists (2ndnd EditionEdition). London, Whurr/Wiley ). London, Whurr/Wiley (Most other references may be found here.)(Most other references may be found here.)

Huesmann, L.R. (2007) The impact of Huesmann, L.R. (2007) The impact of electronic media violence: scientific research electronic media violence: scientific research and theory. and theory. Journal of Adolescent Health,Journal of Adolescent Health, 41 41 (6), Supplement, S6-S13.(6), Supplement, S6-S13.

Waddell, C. (1998) Creativity and mental Waddell, C. (1998) Creativity and mental illness: Is there a link? illness: Is there a link? Canadian Journal of Canadian Journal of PsychiatryPsychiatry, 43, 166-172., 43, 166-172.