4.1 Origins and principles of Symbolism in theatre
6 min read•july 30, 2024
in theatre emerged as a rebellion against Realism, seeking to reveal deeper truths through poetic language and abstract . It drew inspiration from philosophy, literature, and visual arts, aiming to evoke the ineffable and explore the subconscious.
Symbolist plays rejected linear narratives, embracing mystery and ambiguity. They focused on inner life, using symbols, metaphors, and musical language to create a ritualistic atmosphere. This approach aimed to transcend literal meaning and engage audiences on an emotional level.
Symbolism's Emergence in Theatre
Rejection of Realism and Naturalism
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- Symbolism emerged in the late 19th century as a rejection of the dominant theatrical styles of Realism and Naturalism, which sought to depict life as it appeared on the surface
- Symbolist playwrights and theorists believed that the true essence of reality lay beneath the surface, in the realm of dreams, emotions, and the subconscious
- Symbolists sought to create a new form of theatre that could evoke these deeper truths through the use of poetic language, abstract imagery, and suggestive symbolism
Influence of the Broader Symbolist Movement
- The Symbolist movement in theatre was influenced by the broader Symbolist movement in literature and visual arts
- Symbolist literature and visual arts emphasized the use of symbols to express intangible ideas and emotions (melancholy, longing, mystery)
- Symbolist artists sought to create works that transcended the literal and evoked a sense of the ineffable and the sublime (Odilon Redon's dreamlike paintings, Stéphane Mallarmé's enigmatic poetry)
Influences on Symbolist Theatre
Philosophical Influences
- The philosophy of Arthur Schopenhauer had a significant impact on Symbolist thought
- Schopenhauer emphasized the role of the will and the illusory nature of reality
- He believed that the world as we perceive it is merely a representation of a deeper, more fundamental reality
- Friedrich Nietzsche's concept of the Apollonian and Dionysian forces in art also influenced Symbolist theatre
- The Apollonian represented order, reason, and individuation, while the Dionysian represented chaos, emotion, and unity
- Symbolists sought to balance these forces in their work, creating a theatre that was both intellectually stimulating and emotionally powerful
Literary and Artistic Influences
- The poetry of Charles Baudelaire and Stéphane Mallarmé shaped the aesthetic of Symbolist drama
- Baudelaire's concept of correspondences between the material and spiritual worlds inspired Symbolist playwrights to explore the interconnectedness of all things
- Mallarmé's use of suggestive, ambiguous language and his emphasis on the musical qualities of poetry influenced the style of Symbolist dialogue
- Richard Wagner's concept of the Gesamtkunstwerk, or "total work of art," influenced the Symbolists' approach to theatre as a synaesthetic experience
- Wagner sought to synthesize multiple art forms (music, poetry, visual arts) into a unified whole
- Symbolists aimed to create a similar sense of unity and immersion in their productions, using all elements of the theatre to create a cohesive, atmospheric experience
- The paintings of the Pre-Raphaelites and the Impressionists provided visual inspiration for Symbolist stage design and lighting
- The Pre-Raphaelites' use of rich, saturated colors and their emphasis on influenced Symbolist set and costume design (Edward Burne-Jones' ethereal, dreamlike paintings)
- The Impressionists' use of light and color to convey subjective experience and emotion inspired Symbolist lighting techniques (Claude Monet's shimmering, luminous landscapes)
Tenets of Symbolist Drama
Mystery and Ambiguity
- Symbolist drama sought to create a sense of mystery and ambiguity, leaving room for multiple interpretations
- Symbolist plays often presented enigmatic, open-ended scenarios that encouraged the audience to engage with the work on an intuitive, emotional level
- The meaning of Symbolist plays was often intentionally elusive, inviting the audience to project their own experiences and emotions onto the work
Rejection of Linear Narrative
- Symbolist playwrights rejected the linear, cause-and-effect structure of Realist drama in favor of a more fluid, dreamlike narrative
- Symbolist plays often featured fragmented, episodic structures that evoked the workings of the subconscious mind
- The action of Symbolist plays was often static or circular, emphasizing mood and atmosphere over plot development ('s "The Blind," in which a group of blind people wait helplessly for a guide who never arrives)
Themes of the Inner Life
- Symbolist plays often explored themes of the inner life, the search for meaning in a world that seemed increasingly fragmented and uncertain
- Symbolist characters were often introspective, grappling with existential questions and the conflict between the material and spiritual realms
- Symbolist plays frequently dealt with themes of isolation, alienation, and the difficulty of communication in a modern, industrialized world ('s "The Ghost Sonata," in which characters are trapped in a web of secrets and lies)
Ritual and Sacred Space
- Symbolist theatre aimed to create a sense of ritual and sacred space, using lighting, music, and stylized acting to create a hypnotic, immersive experience for the audience
- Symbolist productions often incorporated elements of ritual and ceremony, such as processions, chanting, and stylized gestures
- Symbolist stage design sought to create a sense of otherworldliness and transcendence, using abstract, suggestive sets and atmospheric lighting (Paul Fort's Théâtre d'Art productions, which featured innovative, minimalist sets and evocative lighting effects)
Symbolism in Symbolist Plays
Use of Symbols
- Symbolist playwrights used symbols as a means of expressing abstract ideas and emotions that could not be conveyed through literal, realistic language
- Recurring symbols, such as the moon, the sea, or the veil, often took on multiple meanings within a single play, creating a sense of ambiguity and inviting the audience to interpret them in different ways
- Symbols in Symbolist plays often represented the characters' inner states or the underlying themes of the work (the locked door in Maeterlinck's "Interior," which symbolizes the barrier between the living and the dead, the known and the unknown)
Metaphors and Analogies
- Metaphors and analogies were used to suggest correspondences between the physical and spiritual worlds, the conscious and unconscious mind, and the individual and the universal
- Symbolist playwrights often used metaphorical language to evoke a sense of the interconnectedness of all things and the hidden meanings beneath the surface of reality
- Analogies between the natural world and the human psyche were common in Symbolist plays, with elements like the changing seasons or the cycle of day and night representing the ebb and flow of human emotions (the dying swan in Yeats' "The Shadowy Waters," which represents the protagonist's fading dreams and ideals)
Poetic and Musical Language
- Symbolist language was often poetic, rhythmic, and musical, using repetition, alliteration, and other sonic devices to create a sense of incantation and ritual
- Symbolist dialogue often featured long, lyrical monologues that explored the characters' inner thoughts and feelings
- The musicality of Symbolist language was intended to evoke a sense of the ineffable and to create an emotional resonance that transcended literal meaning (the haunting, repetitive phrases in Maeterlinck's "Pelléas and Mélisande," which create a sense of dreamlike inevitability)
Indirect and Fragmentary Dialogue
- Dialogue in Symbolist plays was often fragmentary, elliptical, and indirect, reflecting the characters' inner states and the elusive nature of truth and meaning
- Symbolist characters often spoke in incomplete sentences, non sequiturs, and cryptic utterances, leaving gaps and silences that the audience was invited to fill with their own interpretations
- The indirectness of Symbolist dialogue was intended to create a sense of mystery and ambiguity, and to suggest the difficulty of communication in a world where meaning is always shifting and elusive (the enigmatic, oracular pronouncements of the Old Man in Strindberg's "The Ghost Sonata," which hint at dark secrets and hidden truths)
Key Terms to Review (18)
August Strindberg: August Strindberg was a Swedish playwright, novelist, and painter, known for his influential works in modern theater, particularly for his exploration of psychological depth and social issues. His plays often challenged traditional narratives and provided a raw look into human nature, laying the groundwork for later movements like Expressionism and Symbolism.
Decadent movement: The decadent movement was a late 19th-century artistic and literary trend that emphasized aestheticism, sensuality, and the exploration of moral and emotional extremes. It arose as a reaction against the conventions of realism and naturalism, favoring a more subjective and often darker view of life that highlighted beauty in decay and disillusionment. This movement contributed significantly to the development of Symbolism in theatre, as it encouraged artists to express complex emotions and abstract ideas through evocative imagery and metaphor.
Dream logic: Dream logic refers to the unique narrative and structural patterns found in dreams, characterized by a lack of rationality, fluidity of time and space, and a nonlinear progression of events. This concept emphasizes the subjective experience of reality, blurring the lines between conscious thought and subconscious imagery, which is essential in both dream plays and the Symbolist movement in theatre. The irrational nature of dream logic allows for a deeper exploration of characters' inner emotions and thoughts, often revealing hidden truths that traditional narratives might overlook.
Dream Play: A dream play is a theatrical form that blends reality with the subconscious, often resembling a dream-like narrative where events unfold in a non-linear fashion. This style allows for a deep exploration of psychological themes, reflecting the characters' inner thoughts and feelings while breaking traditional structures of time and space. It connects to significant aspects of modern theatre, showcasing the influence of Symbolism and the subjective realism that emerged in the 20th century.
Fin de siècle: Fin de siècle is a French term meaning 'end of the century,' typically referring to the late 19th century, a period marked by cultural and artistic change, anxiety, and a sense of impending transformation. This era saw a questioning of traditional values and norms, leading to the rise of new artistic movements, such as Symbolism, which sought to convey deeper emotional truths through abstract imagery and suggestion. The themes and aesthetics from this time profoundly influenced works like 'Pelléas and Mélisande,' showcasing the emotional depth and complexity characteristic of fin de siècle art.
Imagery: Imagery refers to the use of descriptive language that appeals to the senses, helping to create vivid mental pictures and emotional responses in the audience. In the context of Symbolism in theatre, imagery plays a crucial role in conveying deeper meanings and emotional truths, often using metaphorical and suggestive visuals to express complex ideas and feelings without direct representation.
Influence on Modern Drama: The influence on modern drama refers to the various artistic, social, and intellectual movements that shaped the evolution of theatrical expression in the late 19th and 20th centuries. This period saw a departure from traditional forms of storytelling and representation, leading to innovative techniques and styles that challenged audiences' perceptions and expectations. The emergence of movements like Symbolism played a crucial role in redefining the purpose and aesthetic of theatre, emphasizing emotion and subjective experience over realism.
Maurice Maeterlinck: Maurice Maeterlinck was a Belgian playwright, poet, and essayist, recognized as a leading figure in the Symbolist movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His works often explore themes of fate, mystery, and the inner workings of the human psyche, with a distinctive style that emphasizes mood and atmosphere over traditional plot structure. His play 'Pelléas and Mélisande' is particularly significant for its lyrical language and deep emotional resonance, embodying the core principles of Symbolism in theatre.
Metaphor: A metaphor is a figure of speech that makes a direct comparison between two unrelated things by stating that one is the other, highlighting similarities in a creative way. This device often evokes deeper meanings and emotional responses, allowing audiences to grasp complex concepts through familiar imagery. In various artistic expressions, metaphors enrich the narrative, influencing the overall tone and themes.
Mood and atmosphere: Mood and atmosphere in theatre refer to the emotional tone and sensory environment created by a performance. Mood captures the emotional state intended for the audience, while atmosphere encompasses the overall feeling evoked by elements such as lighting, sound, and set design. Together, they enhance the audience's experience and help convey deeper meanings within the narrative.
Moscow Art Theatre: The Moscow Art Theatre is a renowned theatre in Russia, established in 1898, known for its innovative approach to acting and stagecraft. It played a crucial role in the development of modern drama and became a significant force in the Symbolist movement by focusing on emotional truth and the inner lives of characters rather than merely external action.
Pelléas et Mélisande: Pelléas et Mélisande is a symbolist opera composed by Claude Debussy, based on a play by Maurice Maeterlinck. The work is celebrated for its innovative use of music and atmosphere to convey deep emotional and psychological states, reflecting the principles of Symbolism by focusing on mood, imagery, and suggestion rather than traditional narrative structure.
Psychological realism: Psychological realism is a style of representation in theatre that focuses on the internal emotional and psychological states of characters, aiming to portray their thoughts, feelings, and motivations in a truthful and relatable manner. This approach often emphasizes character development and the complexities of human behavior, reflecting a deeper understanding of individual psychology and societal influences.
Reaction against Realism: The reaction against realism refers to a movement in theatre that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, rejecting the strict adherence to realistic representation and instead embracing more abstract, symbolic forms of expression. This shift was a response to the limitations of realism, which often focused on mundane, everyday life and neglected the emotional and psychological complexities of human experience. Artists sought to explore deeper meanings and evoke feelings through non-literal portrayals, paving the way for movements such as Symbolism.
Suggestion over description: Suggestion over description is a principle in theatre that emphasizes the use of symbols and imagery to evoke feelings and ideas rather than relying solely on literal representations. This approach aligns with the Symbolist movement, which sought to express deeper emotional and psychological truths through indirect means, allowing audiences to interpret and engage with the themes on a personal level.
Symbolism: Symbolism is a movement in art and literature that emphasizes the use of symbols to express ideas, emotions, and states of being. In theatre, it manifests through the representation of abstract concepts using specific images, gestures, and settings, which evokes deeper meanings beyond the literal. Symbolism encourages audiences to interpret layers of meaning, often aligning with themes of subjectivity and the exploration of the human condition.
Théâtre de l'œuvre: Théâtre de l'œuvre is a significant theatre movement that emerged in France during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, focusing on the performance of Symbolist plays. This movement emphasized the exploration of deep emotions and the subjective experience of reality, often using poetic language and abstract staging to convey complex themes. It was instrumental in shaping modern theatrical practices, aligning closely with the broader principles of Symbolism in theatre.
Theatre of the absurd: Theatre of the absurd is a dramatic movement that emerged in the mid-20th century, characterized by a focus on the irrationality and meaninglessness of human existence. It reflects a post-World War II disillusionment with traditional narratives, often using illogical situations, repetitive dialogue, and nonsensical actions to highlight the absurdity of life.