Quote by W. H. Auden
Drama is based on the Mistake. I think someone is my friend when he really is my enemy, that I am free to marry a woman when in fact she is my mother, that this person is a chambermaid when it is a young nobleman in disguise, that this well-dressed young man is rich when he is really a penniless adventurer, or that if I do this such and such a result will follow when in fact it results in something very different. All good drama has two movements, first the making of the mistake, then the discovery that it was a mistake.
Summary
This quote suggests that drama revolves around the idea of a mistake or misunderstanding. It highlights instances where one character perceives something or someone in one way, only to later realize that their perception was incorrect. The essence of drama lies in these two movements: the initial mistake, followed by the subsequent revelation and realization of the truth. The quote highlights the various scenarios in which these mistakes unfold, emphasizing how they drive the narrative and create a captivating theatrical experience.
Topics
Theater
By W. H. Auden
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