Tom Stoppard’s Science Plays : Metaphor and Experiment

J 2021

Tom Stoppard’s Science Plays : Metaphor and Experiment

KAČER, Tomáš

Basic information

Original name

Tom Stoppard’s Science Plays : Metaphor and Experiment

Authors

KAČER, Tomáš (203 Czech Republic, guarantor, belonging to the institution)

Edition

Świat i Słowo (World and Word), 2021, 1731-3317

Other information

Language

English

Type of outcome

Článek v odborném periodiku

Field of Study

60206 Specific literatures

Country of publisher

Poland

Confidentiality degree

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

References:

URL

RIV identification code

RIV/00216224:14210/21:00121658

Organization unit

Faculty of Arts

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.5604/01.3001.0014.7963

UT WoS

000706781100006

Keywords in English

Tom Stoppard; science play; theatre; metaphor; textuality; performativity

Abstract

V originále

The science play is a well-established genre of dramatic writing in the English speaking theatrical tradition. This paper discusses three full-length science plays by the prominent British playwright Tom Stoppard. These are Hapgood, Arcadia, and The Hard Problem. The plays are based on popular science sources and offer their audience an access to science. After providing a brief history of the science play and the science show, the paper shows that Stoppard develops the dramatic and the atrical traditions by involving science on the textual (giving popularised scientific knowledge in the form of dialogised lectures) and performative levels (demonstrating or illustrating science on stage), primarily to turn it into a metaphor of human behaviour. Hapgood and Arcadia further engage with science on the structural level, thus becoming thought experiments reflecting upon science. The most recent play, The Hard Problem, develops textual and performative strategies related to science but ceases to experiment with the form, leaving more space for the audience to draw ethical conclusions.

Links

MUNI/A/1446/2020, interní kód MU

Name: Paradigms, strategies and developments - Anglophone literary and cultural studies

Investor: Masaryk University

Citovat

KAČER, Tomáš. Tom Stoppard’s Science Plays : Metaphor and Experiment. Świat i Słowo (World and Word). 2021, vol. 36, No 1, p. 77-89. ISSN 1731-3317. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.5604/01.3001.0014.7963.

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   author = {Kačer, Tomáš},
   article_number = {1},
   doi = {http://dx.doi.org/10.5604/01.3001.0014.7963},
   keywords = {Tom Stoppard; science play; theatre; metaphor; textuality; performativity},
   language = {eng},
   issn = {1731-3317},
   journal = {Świat i Słowo (World and Word)},
   title = {Tom Stoppard’s Science Plays : Metaphor and Experiment},
   url = {https://swiatislowo.publisherspanel.com/resources/html/article/details?id=214445},
   volume = {36},
   year = {2021}
}

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N2  - The science play is a well-established genre of dramatic writing in the English speaking theatrical tradition. This paper discusses three full-length science plays by the prominent British playwright Tom Stoppard. These are Hapgood, Arcadia, and The Hard Problem. The plays are based on popular science sources and offer their audience an access to science. After providing a brief history of the science play and the science show, the paper shows that Stoppard develops the dramatic and the atrical traditions by involving science on the textual (giving popularised scientific knowledge in the form of dialogised lectures) and performative levels (demonstrating or illustrating science on stage), primarily to turn it into a metaphor of human behaviour. Hapgood and Arcadia further engage with science on the structural level, thus becoming thought experiments reflecting upon science. The most recent play, The Hard Problem, develops textual and performative strategies related to science but ceases to experiment with the form, leaving more space for the audience to draw ethical conclusions.
ER  -

KAČER, Tomáš. Tom Stoppard’s Science Plays : Metaphor and Experiment. \textit{\'Swiat i Słowo (World and Word)}. 2021, vol.~36, No~1, p.~77-89. ISSN~1731-3317. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.5604/01.3001.0014.7963.

Detailed Information on Publication Record