Reading Tartuffe, Backwards And Forwards

ackwards and Forwards (Outline)

 

1. Action “occurs when something happens that makes or permits something else to happen.” Actions are a play’s primary building blocks.

 

2. What happens next? “A play is like a series of dominoes: one event triggers the next.” (Never skip a step)

 

3. Backwards. “Going forwards allows unpredictable possibility. Going backwards exposes that which is required.” A domino can fell only the domino next to it.

 

4. Stasis and Intrusion. Stasis is an unchanging stability; intrusion is a pushing, thrusting, forcing in. Dramatic stasis is upset by intrusion until a new stasis can be secured, often then intruded upon again. This pushes the action forward.

 

5. Conflict and obstacles. A play’s conflict is between what somebody wants and whatever hinders that want (the obstacle).

 

6. Ignorance is bliss. Why its best not to read a play before going to see it! The core of dramatic tension lies in withholding information from the audience.

 

7. Things theatrical. Important information is conveyed in the heightened moments.

 

8. Exposition. Exposition must be directly relevant to the action. Two kinds: 1. Information known to everyone in the play; 2. Information known only to some.

 

9. Forwards. Anything that arouses an audience’s interest in things yet to come.

 

10. Character. A character is revealed only through actions. A scripted character is nothing more than an outline.

 

11. Image. Something we already know or can easily be told that is used to describe, illuminate, or expand upon something we don’t know or cannot easily be told.

 

12. Theme. Not what a play means, nor the “purpose” of a play. Theme is a result. Look for it last.