Psychological Suffering in Peter Shaffer's Equus: Artaudian Approach

الملخص

Abstract

Dramatists were affected by the First World War and revolted against the old traditions. They began to doubt the existing social structures that increased the universal conflict. Through Theatre of Cruelty, they succeeded to release human subconscious, his psychological suffering and exposed man to himself.

Antonin Artaud (1896–1948) puts a theory for the theatre of cruelty that based on ritual and fantasy. That form of theatre attacks the audience's subconscious in an attempt to free the deep-rooted fears and worries that are normally repressed. This theatre concentrates on brief text, screams, cries and symbolic gestures in order to shock the audience and arouse their reaction. The use of the body and the voice with the violent, frightening and shocking images is to enhance truth.