THE DIONYSIAC RUPTURE IN EQUUS: A NIETZSCHEAN PERSPECTIVE ON PETER SHAFFER’S MODERN TRAGEDY

Year 2024, , 704 - 732, 25.06.2024

Gökhan Albayrak

https://doi.org/10.33171/dtcfjournal.2024.64.1.28

Abstract

This paper aims to explore Peter Shaffer’s ritualistic play Equus (1973) by means of utilising Nietzsche’s interpretation of ancient Greek tragedy which is based on the collision between the Apollonian impulse and the Dionysian impulse. Equus tells the story of Martin Dysart, a psychiatrist, who struggles to treat a young man, Alan Strang, who has a mystical fascination with horses and blinds six horses. This study argues that Alan represents the Dionsyian principle while Martin embodies the Apollonian principle, and that the clash between the two forces leads to tragedy. The Dionysian impulse is an urge towards obliteration of boundaries, dissolution of individual selves, excess, intoxication, and ecstatic experience of oneness whereas the Apollonian impulse gestures toward drawing and maintaining boundaries, individuality, distinction and discreteness. Alan is a Dionysian character who ecstatically experiences a sense of oneness with horses through bacchic frenzy. By contrast, Martin is an Apollonian character who attemtps to give a form to this chaotic force and whose sense of purpose as a psychiatrist is disrupted by his patient’s mystical experience of primordial unity with horses. As an antagonistic force that shatters Martin’s sense of meaning in life, Alan and his Dionysiac state compel Martin to rethink about his life and his profession. This paper contends that Martin is the protagonist of this play who, as the embodimentof the modern subject, experiences the battle between the Dionsyian impulse and the Apollonian impulse and thus undergoes a tragic moment in his life.

Keywords

Peter Shaffer, Equus, Nietzsche, Apollo, Dionysus, Tragedy, Conflict, Modern Subject

KÜHEYLAN ADLI OYUNDA DİONİZYAK YARILMA: PETER SHAFFER’IN MODERN TRAJEDİSİNE NİETZSCHE ÜZERİNDEN BİR BAKIŞ

Abstract

Bu makale, Peter Shaffer’ın Küheylan (1973) adlı rituelistik oyununu, Nietzsche’nin Apolloncu dürtü ve Dionysosçu dürtü arasındaki çatışmaya dayanan antik Yunan tragedyasına dair yorumunu kullanarak incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Küheylan atlara karşı mistik bir hayranlığı olan ve altı atı kör eden Alan Strang’i tedavi etmeye çalışan psikiyatrist Martin Dysart’ın hikâyesini anlatmaktadır. Bu çalışma, Alan’ın Dionysos ilkesini, Martin’in ise Apollon ilkesini temsil ettiğini ve iki güç arasındaki çatışmanın trajediyi doğurduğunu öne sürmektedir. Dionysosçu dürtü, sınırların silinmesine, silikleşmesine, bireysel benliklerin çözülmesine, aşırılığa, sarhoşluğa ve bütünlük hissinin esrikleştirici deneyimine yönelik bir dürtü iken, Apolloncu dürtü sınırları çizmeye, belirlemeye ve sürdürmeye, bireyselliğe, farklılığa ve münferitliğe yönelen bir dürtüdür. Alan, Baküs şenliklerine özgü coşkunluk aracılığıyla, atlarla bir olma duygusunu vecd halinde yaşayan Dionysosçu bir karakterdir. Buna karşılık, Martin bu kaotik kudrete bir biçim vermeye çalışan ve bir psikiyatrist olarak hayatındaki amaç duygusu, hastasının atlarla yaşadığı mistik, ezeli, kadim bir hemhal olma deneyimi tarafından alt üst edilen Apolloncu bir karakterdir. Martin’in hayattaki anlam duygusunu paramparça eden karşıt bir güç olarak Alan ve onun Dionysosçu durumu, Martin’i yaşamı ve mesleği hakkında yeniden düşünmeye zorlamaktadır. Bu makale, Dionysosçu dürtü ve Apolloncu dürtü arasındaki savaşı, modern özneyi tecessüm eden birisi olarak deneyimleyen ve böylece hayatında trajik bir an yaşayan Martin’in bu oyunun ana karakteri olduğunu iddia etmektedir.

Keywords

Peter Shaffer, Küheylan, Nietzsche, Apollo, Dionysos, Trajedi, Çatışma, Modern Özne

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