초록 열기/닫기 버튼
The purpose of this paper is to investigate essential value of life between the pursuit of social value and personal identity. Equus is one of the famous drama written by a successful playwright, Peter Shaffer. A variety of symbolic communications including dance and music are utilized. Symbols allow the observer to explore concepts and relationships which are beyond the reach of language. Gothic element also plays an important role in Equus. It gives audience the chance to escape from the ordinary daily life. The conventional institutions of society confine main characters' instinctive creativity, and repress their primitive passion and freedom in Equus. Under the repression of society and family, Dysart and Alan try to have their own identity. In case of Alan, Equus is a sublimation mechanism that Alan has activated as a defence against the inhibition. Dr. Dysart thinks he may find the meaning of life by contacting the ideal world, the image of Greece. There are main characters, Alan who stabbed out the eyes of six horses and Dr. Dysart who has an emptiness in his heart. As Dr. Dysart contemplates Alan's mind, he realizes Alan's passion filled with primitive instinct. Dr. Dysart confirms Alan's passion would make him find not only the true value of life but also his own identity. In conclusion, social value and personal identity are not the object of conflict. They should be in harmony through the mutual interchange and communication.
