Authors Intentions

Tue, 7 Apr 2009, 07:13 pm

Okay, this is a serious question for me... A number of different posts recently have gotten quite seriously into Dramatic Theory, and one thing that keeps popping up is "The Author's Intention". Now, when I was younger I had Roland Barthes' theory of "The Death of the Author" drummed into me. To try and put it simply - The meaning of any work of art or literature is the meaning that the reader/watcher gets from it, and any interpretation is valid as long as the text bears it out, and what the author originally intended is largely irrelevant... (My apologies if I put it clumsily, it WAS YEARS ago) But this was a literary/philosophical theory, not a purely dramatic one. My question is: Has Roland Barthes been thrown out and someone forgot to forward me the memo? or, As his theory is a general literary theory not a specific dramatic one, has it just not filtered through to the performing arts? Can't say I'm losing sleep over it or anything, but it has piqued my interest :-)

The issue isn't just

Tue, 7 Apr 2009, 07:44 pm

The issue isn't just intent: it's personal choice. I personally don't mind if my text is taken somewhat out of context. I write particularly ambigious scripts, so if the director or actor goes in a different direction than I planned, I don't mind. In my case, the interpretation of the script is up for grabs, since most of my themes deal with reality vs. fantasy. Stray too far though, and I won't be impressed. However, Logos is strongly of the opinion that the script should be taken as his interpretation dictates (I speak for him only because he's spoken on it so often here on this site). Likwise, many other playwrights are quite specific: take a look at Samuel Beckett and the way his plays are so heavily protected from being taken out of context. In this situation, it's not just about interpretation, but how the playwright interprets that very subject. Singing oyster shadow puppet for sale at Puppets in Melbourne

Thread (39 posts)

Threaded Flat

Authors Intentions— Paul Treasure7 Apr 2009

The issue isn't just— Na7 Apr 2009
Beckett— Paul Treasure7 Apr 2009
- Good point, but as far as I— Na7 Apr 2009
- From memory (it was quite— Walter Plinge8 Apr 2009
Ah interesting! I shall be— Logos7 Apr 2009
As promised I'm back.— Logos8 Apr 2009
books and plays— mike raine8 Apr 2009
- Don't pull the plug on Barthe— crgwllms12 Apr 2009
Again Craig and I agree,— mike raine12 Apr 2009
- Intense talk of intents.— crgwllms12 Apr 2009
  - I have to say that I too— mike raine12 Apr 2009
    - A Poorly Constructed House— crgwllms13 Apr 2009
      - ···
        tangled in analgoies.— mike raine13 Apr 2009
Aaah, Lord of the Rings— Logos12 Apr 2009
LOTR— jeffhansen12 Apr 2009
To the comments a few comments back...— jessmess13 Apr 2009
- The Stage Direction Stops Here— crgwllms13 Apr 2009
- That sucks!— mike raine13 Apr 2009
My Two Cents— Garreth13 Apr 2009
- My honours thesis was, in— Walter Plinge14 Apr 2009
- Weighing back in— Paul Treasure15 Apr 2009
Shameless Plug— Robert Whyte14 Apr 2009
Ah the consternation...— jessmess15 Apr 2009
- I don't think shakespeare— Garreth15 Apr 2009
  - To be a playwright, or not to be....?— crgwllms16 Apr 2009
  - I don't wish to betray you, Garreth...— crgwllms16 Apr 2009
  - Commedia Delle Arte is— John E Carson21 Apr 2009
Fair enough— jessmess15 Apr 2009
- moths in my head— mike raine16 Apr 2009
  - That about covers it— crgwllms16 Apr 2009
Intent versus style— Logos17 Apr 2009
- Whose intent?— crgwllms17 Apr 2009
  - Ah yes.— Logos19 Apr 2009
    - Approach with caution— crgwllms19 Apr 2009
      - ···
        Interesting you should— Logos19 Apr 2009
        ···
        It's all good.— crgwllms19 Apr 2009
more on music— mike raine18 Apr 2009
I am not a musician so some— Logos19 Apr 2009

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