Equus (Masterplots II: Drama)
At a glance:
- Author: Peter Shaffer
- First Published: 1973
- Type of Work: Psychological realism
- Time of Work: The 1970’s
- Setting: England
- Principal Characters: Martin Dysart, Alan Strang, Frank Strang, Dora Strang, Hesther Salomon, Jill Mason
- Genres: Drama, Psychological drama
- Subjects: 1970’s, Family or family life, Sex or sexuality, Individuality, Spiritual life or spirituality, Horses, Psychoanalysis or psychoanalysts, Great Britain, Fundamentalism
- Locales: England
The Play
Equus begins in darkness and silence. Gradually a dim light illuminates what appears to be a boxing ring—a square with railings on three sides; the side facing the audience is open. Suddenly, in the center of this square, a spotlight illuminates a teenage boy, whose head is pressed against the chest of a tall man wearing on his head a large sculpture of gleaming wire in the shape of a horse’s head. The scene is one of tenderness; the boy’s hands stretch up to fondle the sculpted head, and the head itself nuzzles the boy’s neck. The boy, the audience will...
[The entire page is 2976 words long]
