Animal Sacrifice in Albeeâs Plays and Its Influence on the Contemporary Stage

Philipp Reisner

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Chapter 3 Animal Sacrifice in Albeeâs Plays and Its Influence on the Contemporary Stage

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Philipp Reisner

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Type:: Chapter

Pages:: 46â73

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004448605_004

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Abstract

Animal sacrifice occupies a central place in Edward Albeeâs plays. In The Zoo Story, Whoâs Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, A Delicate Balance, and The Goat or, Who is Sylvia?, animal sacrifice constitutes for Albee a lifelong exploration into the bestiality of human nature. It also reflects an intimate connection to the human need for recognition and love. It is often overlooked, however, that in Albeeâs plays the phenomenon of sacrifice may be understood in light of the Judeo-Christian tradition and that his plays exhibit numerous allusions to biblical texts and motifs. Theses allusions compel his audience to reflect upon the theology of sacrifice and the complex religious questions connected to this practice. The influence of the Judeo-Christian tradition may also be found in the work of contemporary playwrights such as David Adjmi, Ann Marie Healey, and David Henry Hwang, who take up similar religious themes and develop them further. They stage humans as subjects and objects of sacrifice made bearable through resurrection that takes place on and off the stage.

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Albee and Influence

Series:Â New Perspectives in Edward Albee Studies, Volume: 4

E-Book ISBN:: 9789004448605

Publisher:: Brill

Print Publication Date:: 15 Feb 2021

Subjects
- Art History
  - Performing Arts
- Literature and Cultural Studies

Front Matter

Notes on Contributors

Introduction

Part 1 Influences on Albee

Chapter 1 âLean[ing] against a Prosceniumâ

Chapter 2 âThe Opposition of Artworks to Domination Is Mimesis of Dominationâ

Chapter 3 Animal Sacrifice in Albeeâs Plays and Its Influence on the Contemporary Stage

Part 2 Albeeâs Influence

Chapter 4 Love and Lies in the Living Room Dramas of John Guare, Tennessee Williams, and Edward Albee

Chapter 5 Dramatic Dialogue

Chapter 6 âTo Fail â¦ and to Fail Interestinglyâ

Chapter 7 Self-Constructed Dramatists

Chapter 8 Resistant Influencer

Chapter 9 âLaughter and Painâ

Part 3 Interviews

Chapter 10 Interview

Back Matter

Index

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	All Time	Past 365 days	Past 30 Days
Abstract Views	2011	980	56
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African Studies	Education	Media Studies
American Studies	History	Middle East and Islamic Studies
Ancient Near East and Egypt	Human Rights and Humanitarian Law	Musicology
Art History	International Law	Philosophy
Asian Studies	International Relations	Religious Studies
Biblical Studies	Jewish Studies	Slavic and Eurasian Studies
Biology	Languages and Linguistics	Social Sciences
Book History and Cartography	Life Sciences	Theology and World Christianity
Classical Studies	Literature and Cultural Studies

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Chapter 3 Animal Sacrifice in Albeeâs Plays and Its Influence on the Contemporary Stage

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Albee and Influence

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Chapter 3 Animal Sacrifice in Albeeâs Plays and Its Influence on the Contemporary Stage