10.2 August Strindberg and naturalism in theatre

August Strindberg, a Swedish playwright, revolutionized theatre with naturalism. His works like "Miss Julie" depicted realistic portrayals of life, focusing on heredity and environment as character determinants. Strindberg's plays explored complex psychological themes and power dynamics.

Strindberg's influence extended beyond Scandinavia, inspiring playwrights worldwide. His characters grapple with internal contradictions, reflecting human complexity. Strindberg's use of symbolism and autobiographical elements added depth to his works, blurring personal and universal themes.

Naturalism in Theatre

Defining Characteristics

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• Emerged in the late 19th century emphasizing a realistic portrayal of life on stage often focusing on the lower classes and their struggles
• Focuses on heredity and environment as determinants of character, emphasizes scientific objectivity, and rejects romantic and idealistic themes
• Presents a slice-of-life approach depicting everyday life and the social, economic, and psychological forces that shape human behavior (class struggles, poverty)
• Utilizes realistic sets, costumes, and lighting to create an illusion of reality on stage immersing the audience in the world of the play (detailed set design, period-appropriate clothing)

Naturalistic Acting and Staging

• Requires performers to embody their characters fully often drawing on their own emotions and experiences to create a sense of authenticity and psychological depth
• Actors use techniques such as emotional memory and the "magic if" to connect with their characters' inner lives and motivations (Stanislavski's system)
• Staging involves the use of realistic sets, props, and lighting to create a believable environment that reflects the characters' lives and circumstances (cluttered apartments, dimly lit streets)
• Naturalistic plays often feature a fourth wall, with characters behaving as if unaware of the audience's presence, enhancing the illusion of reality (characters speaking to each other, not the audience)

Strindberg's Contributions to Naturalism

Seminal Works and Innovations

• August Strindberg (1849-1912), a Swedish playwright, novelist, and essayist, played a crucial role in the development of naturalistic theatre
• Strindberg's plays, such as "Miss Julie" (1888) and "The Father" (1887), are considered seminal works of naturalism exploring complex psychological themes and power dynamics between characters (class conflict, gender roles)
• Innovative use of dialogue, often featuring overlapping and fragmented speech, helped to create a sense of realism and authenticity on stage (characters interrupting each other, trailing off)
• Emphasis on the inner lives of characters, their motivations, and psychological conflicts set a new standard for psychological depth in dramatic writing (characters' hidden desires, repressed emotions)

Influence and Legacy

• Strindberg's influence extended beyond Scandinavia inspiring playwrights and theatre practitioners across Europe and the United States (Eugene O'Neill, Tennessee Williams)
• Helped establish naturalism as a dominant force in modern theatre paving the way for later developments in realistic and psychological drama (Kitchen Sink realism, Theatre of the Absurd)
• Strindberg's techniques and themes continue to be explored and adapted by contemporary playwrights and directors (Ingmar Bergman, Lars von Trier)
• His works remain a key part of the theatrical canon and are regularly performed and studied worldwide (Broadway revivals, university courses)

Psychological Depth in Strindberg's Characters

Complex Inner Lives

• Strindberg's characters are known for their psychological complexity driven by deep-seated desires, fears, and conflicts that shape their actions and relationships
• Characters often grapple with internal contradictions and conflicting impulses reflecting the complexity of the human psyche (Miss Julie's attraction to and repulsion by Jean)
• The psychological realism of Strindberg's characters helped pave the way for the development of modern drama influencing later playwrights (Eugene O'Neill's "Long Day's Journey into Night")
• Strindberg's exploration of the subconscious and irrational aspects of human behavior anticipated the work of later psychological realists (Anton Chekhov, Henrik Ibsen)

Symbolism and Metaphor

• Strindberg's use of symbolism and metaphor adds depth to his characters with objects and actions often serving as external manifestations of their inner states and desires (Miss Julie's pet bird, the Count's boots)
• Symbolic elements in Strindberg's plays can represent characters' psychological struggles, social positions, or the larger themes of the work (the kitchen in "Miss Julie" as a symbol of class division)
• Strindberg's use of dream-like imagery and surreal elements in his later works, such as "A Dream Play" (1901), further explored the psychological depths of his characters (Agnes's journey through the subconscious)
• The symbolic and metaphorical richness of Strindberg's plays invites multiple interpretations and encourages audiences to engage with the characters' inner lives on a deeper level (the meaning of the dance of death in "The Dance of Death")

Strindberg's Life vs His Plays

Autobiographical Elements

• Strindberg's tumultuous personal life, marked by failed marriages, mental health struggles, and a constant quest for artistic and spiritual fulfillment, had a profound impact on his dramatic works
• Many of Strindberg's plays, such as "The Father" and "The Dance of Death," draw on his own experiences of marital conflict and the battle of the sexes reflecting his complex and often troubled relationships with women (his three marriages, his divorce from Siri von Essen)
• The autobiographical elements in Strindberg's plays contribute to their emotional intensity and psychological depth blurring the lines between the personal and the universal (the character of the Captain in "The Father" as a reflection of Strindberg's own fears of emasculation)

Psychological and Spiritual Influences

• Strindberg's interest in psychology and the inner workings of the human mind, evident in his plays, was influenced by his own struggles with mental health and his engagement with the ideas of thinkers such as Friedrich Nietzsche and Sigmund Freud (his "Inferno" crisis, his interest in psychoanalysis)
• Spiritual and philosophical beliefs, which evolved throughout his life and included elements of mysticism, occultism, and a fascination with alchemy, also found expression in his dramatic works particularly in his later "chamber plays" ("The Ghost Sonata," "The Pelican")
• Strindberg's personal quest for meaning and transcendence is reflected in the spiritual journeys of many of his characters as they grapple with existential questions and the search for truth (the Stranger in "To Damascus," the Student in "The Ghost Sonata")
• The deeply personal nature of Strindberg's plays invites audiences to engage with the artist's own struggles and insights, offering a window into the complex relationship between life and art (Strindberg's preface to "Miss Julie," his autobiographical novel "The Son of a Servant")