Discussion Topic
Analysis of the influences, style, language, comedy, and stagecraft in George F. Walker's Zastrozzi: The Master of Discipline
Summary:
George F. Walker's Zastrozzi: The Master of Discipline is influenced by Gothic literature, blending dark themes with absurdist comedy. The style is fast-paced and intense, with sharp, witty dialogue. The language is a mix of high drama and modern colloquialisms, creating a unique tone. Comedy arises from exaggerated characters and situations. Stagecraft includes dynamic, choreographed fight scenes and minimalistic sets to focus on character interactions.
What are the literary, theatrical, and philosophical influences in George F. Walker's play Zastrozzi: The Master of Discipline?
The dominant literary influence is the novel of the same title by Percy Bysshe Shelley. In both, Zastrozzi avenges his mother's death. One theatrical influence is the use of archetypes in drama. There is the quintessential virgin, Julia; the great martial arts master, Zastrozzi; the religious figure, Victor; and the artiste and criminal, Verezzi. Zastrozzi stalks Verezzi with great mastery of discipline, while Victor defends Verezzi; Julia complicates situations while Matilda continues as the "most accomplished seductress in Europe."
Analyze the style, language, comedy, and stagecraft in George F. Walker's Zastrozzi: The Master of Discipline.
The style of Zastrozzi is what drama critic Liz Kimberlin calls "darkly fun, perversely smart" theater that is is highly "theatrical," or emotive and dramatic. The style differs from Percy Bysshe Shelley's 1810 original, which Shelley composed as a novel. Walker's novel emphasizes the dark perversion, humor and theatricality that derives, but is different in style from, Shelley's Romanticism.
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