Just how shocking is Equus? Paying close reference to the play, examine Shaffer’s stagecraft in relation to the theme
Equus is no doubt quite shocking, but this is an intentional (and successful) attempt to reach the audience, to make sure they’re listening. It is not one small thing that results in a shock, it is a result of the main theme, characters, language and staging of the play.
First of all, the main theme: Early on in the play, after being introduced to Dysart, we learn about the nature of Alan’s crime, which is the foundation of the whole play. In itself, the crime is shocking and it is made very difficult for the audience to sympathise because the crime was not committed against any wrong-doing person, but against an innoc
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