Date of Award

2014

Document Type

Thesis

Department

Theatre Arts

First Reader

Professor Eric Phillips

Second Reader

Dr. Byron Eubanks

Third Reader

Dr. Rob Hewell

Abstract

Shakespeare is one of the most popular playwrights of all time. Even during his own life time, Shakespeare experienced tremendous popularity that has lasted hundreds of years. Perhaps no one has said it better than Shakespeare's own contemporary Ben Johnson:

He was not of an age, but for all time! And all the Muses still were in their prime, When, like Apollo, he came forth to warm Our ears, or like a Mercury to charm! Nature herself was proud of his designs, And joyed to wear the dressing of his lines! Which were so richly spun, and woven so fit, As, since, she will vouchsafe no other wit.

One of the many reasons Shakespeare is so tremendously popular is his mastery of the human condition. Whether it is the heroic Henry V, the love-struck Julia, the wise Prospero, or the fierce Queen Margaret, Shakespeare writes characters that the audience can relate to. Shakespeare does not simply write a hero or a villain. He writes characters that reveal their true emotions in moments of extremity. This is what is interesting to us. We relate to the hero and the villain because we understand why they choose to act in the way they do. We love to share in the moments of triumph, love, defeat, loss, and friendship because we have been there. That is why I think Shakespeare remains such a powerful playwright. The ten monologues chosen for this thesis are just a sampling of his mastery. Each character will be analyzed within the context of the show, scene, and my thesis.

Comments

The idea for this thesis came to me in the summer of 2013 while studying at The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. It began as a desire to continue my training in Shakespeare and I initially thought to simply enlist acting coaching on a few of my favorite monologues. However, I am known to overcomplicate things, and soon enough this monstrous project was conceived. A challenge from the beginning I would not have made it this far without the help from numerous people. Therefore, I feel it is only right to acknowledge those whose continual support has kept me going throughout this process: Professor Eric Phillips, Professor Dan Inouye, Professor Johnny Wink, Dr. Barbara Pemberton, and of course, Jim and Paula Davis. Thank you all for being willing to invest in me. I would have given up without your advice, coaching, and encouragement.

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