The Platypus Reads Part VIII
Autumn and spring are the seasons for theater. They are times of transition, when we become more aware of the changes in our lives. On the stage, we see the seasons of life acted out, and walk away with a new sense of the wholeness and unity of existence.
For Aeschylus, theater's primary role is to mediate change. In Aeschylus' mind, change is a vital part of life. Hence his repeated use of the thematic "Time refines all things that age with time" in his Oresteia. In other words, all things are ever becoming more and more what they are. The refining process is often gradual; so gradual that we don't even realize that it's going on. Occasionally, however, the inward process breaks out in our lives in startling color. It is those moments that drama deals with. They can be occasions for joy or terror, laughter or sorrow. Each of these is caught up and presented to us with crystal clarity by drama.
We put on our performance of the Oresteia in the Fall. The air grew cooler, the leaves began to change, and the cafe started serving pumpkin pie again. It was a time of transition for many of us. I was transitioning back to life in the U.S. Our director was in the process of getting engaged. The Freshmen in our play were transitioning into college life and the Seniors in our play were getting ready to transition out of it. Due to some administrative bickering, our theater troop was even getting used to a new name. As the year was dying, then, we took up the steps of Aeschylus' great choric dance and joined our little changes to those of Creation itself.
For Aeschylus, theater's primary role is to mediate change. In Aeschylus' mind, change is a vital part of life. Hence his repeated use of the thematic "Time refines all things that age with time" in his Oresteia. In other words, all things are ever becoming more and more what they are. The refining process is often gradual; so gradual that we don't even realize that it's going on. Occasionally, however, the inward process breaks out in our lives in startling color. It is those moments that drama deals with. They can be occasions for joy or terror, laughter or sorrow. Each of these is caught up and presented to us with crystal clarity by drama.
We put on our performance of the Oresteia in the Fall. The air grew cooler, the leaves began to change, and the cafe started serving pumpkin pie again. It was a time of transition for many of us. I was transitioning back to life in the U.S. Our director was in the process of getting engaged. The Freshmen in our play were transitioning into college life and the Seniors in our play were getting ready to transition out of it. Due to some administrative bickering, our theater troop was even getting used to a new name. As the year was dying, then, we took up the steps of Aeschylus' great choric dance and joined our little changes to those of Creation itself.
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