Originalite de theatre de Maurice Maeterlinck.
Item
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Title
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Originalite de theatre de Maurice Maeterlinck.
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Identifier
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AAI9521259
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identifier
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9521259
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Creator
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Coudert, Pierre Emmanuel.
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Contributor
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Adviser: Bettina Knapp
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Date
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1995
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Language
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French
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Literature, Romance | Theater
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Abstract
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Maurice Maeterlinck's symbolist drama covers a period ranging from 1889 to 1907. It therefore is to be classified as a typical incarnation of Symbolism.;Maeterlinck's drama is the most successful attempt at creating a form of theater based on the theories of the period. What is most remarkable about his plays is their very original tones, in spite of the fact that they truly represent Symbolism.;The temperament of the author happens to uniquely blend with the dreamy, if abstract overtones of the Symbolist period. The result of this coincidental encounter is a body of texts rampant with a very deep poetic message. Maeterlinck embodies his theories on drama within a misty atmosphere; his plays are set in a vaguely mediaeval decor, where fragile beings attempt to stutter their inward truth against the ghastly breath of immense, hostile forces.;Fate dictates the events which befall the characters. It does so with utmost cruelty and ruthlessness; in fact, Fate is the "sublime character" which drives the text to inevitable final tragedy.;Progressively, however, Fate loses its grip on the characters. It does so as if regretfully, and will fight the first attempt by the author to make it lose its all-encompassing power.;This thesis attempts to underline the formidable fight that the author had to wage against Fate. The first play it examines in detail is Princess Maleine. It is deeply set in darkness, both "material"--the narration takes place almost entirely at night--and metaphysical. The last drama of the Symbolist period, The Blue Bird, is suffused with light and hope, insofar as it transcends the very essence of Night: it becomes a garden of delicate secrets to be unveiled by humankind, instead of a threatening and intrinsically hostile element. By using a very different set of symbols in this play, Maeterlinck bids farewell to his previous dark imagery and themes.;This dissertation shows the passage from darkness to light, by concentrating on the various symbols offered by the different plays. It also deals with the esoteric content encoded in the texts; the author's numerous references to mythology and esoteric theories are indicated and discussed.;The language and themes of Maeterlinck's powerful drama are carefully examined in order to show the originality and richness of a body of work whose general tone is one of unique poetry.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
