How is Peter Brook's production existentialist? (1 Viewer)

[Captain pi]

How is Peter Brook's production, with Schofield as Lear, existentialist?

I thank you, in advance, for your contribution.

 

[lilkatie]

Okies well first you need to understand what existentialism (existentialist) is : a philosophical theory emphasising exsistence of teh individual as free and responsible agent determining his own development
ie man is responsible for his own fate
When this was produced a pessimism pervaded political social and philosophical thoughy. Mant beleived was only a matter of time before man brought about his own demise (ie cold war). So the notion that man was morally corrupt began to find its way in art ie Brooks version. It says man is responsible for his demise!! therefore exestentialist

hope that answers q

 

[Captain pi]

Thank you, Katie.

I understand that.

However, I am looking for more specific techniques that communicate that this argument for the existential reading is sound, not just contrived. I am looking for textual evidence that emphasize Lear's responsibility for himself.

 

[lilkatie]

well we can't do it all for you
you could say that can't understand Schofields words - doesn't matter as nothing he can say will halt the demise of man
The black and white filming shows there is no morality, consolation universal justice etc, or it also shows theres no inbetweens, no around it, it's black and white: man is responsible for his own downfall
Bleakness and despair is emphasised by long, overhead shots of wintry tundra etc
Glouc & Kent say: "the world shall so wear out to nought", "Is this the promised end?" or something like that
And then very import is Lears death, he falls off teh screen which indicates in death we are removed from our deeds in life, rendering our actions and exsistence pointless
And thats just off the top of my head, there's heaps of stuff
Hope that helps

 

[lislabella]

i don't know if this is relevant to existentialism... or helpful.
towards the beginning of the film there are alot of shots of a barren and hostile, bleak, wintery landscape...this foreshadows act three in the tempest. Its supposed to be symbolic of the brutal elements on lears heart...