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Description:

In some ways, this assignment combines both the World of the Play and the Given Circumstances in that both larger issues and individual givens must be considered. The process is very easily applied to costume design or even set design, in that character affects environment. You may want to include references to those design elements in your analysis, but the assignment is specifically focused on elements of character that the actor will bring to bear through their actions and interactions with other characters.


Assignment:

I.      A description of a character—age, gender (if appropriate), distinguishing characteristics, effects of environment, impairment of physicality, relationship to other characters, personal quirks, social or cultural identity, economic or social situation, etc.


II.      The super-objective(s) of each character.


III.    The action(s) each character engages in to reach their super-objective.


IV.     The obstacles in the way of each characters' actions.


The obstacles should relate to the actions and the actions should relate to the super-objective.



Parameters:

The paper should be typed in 12 pt. font, with one-inch margins, have an MLA header in the upper left, and be stapled in the upper left corner. It should be edited and proof-read before submission. Any research that you use must be cited.


Please follow the format and headings above for each character assigned. This is a working document; it should not be an "essay". Be clear, simple, and direct in answering each heading.



Terms:

Quest:

A long search for something that is difficult to find or an attempt to achieve something difficult.


Protagonist:

That central character or group of characters, on stage much of the time, whose quest shapes the action. (Oedipus wants to know the truth and save Thebes.)


Antagonist:

That central character or group of characters, on stage much of the time, whose quest in conflict with the protagonist's.


Super Objective:

The Purpose or Quest. The overall desire or goal of the character, particularly the protagonist. The super-objective focuses on the entire play.


Objective:

The objective is a goal that a character wants to achieve. In identifying an objective the actor asks, “What do I want?” Objectives are action-oriented, rather than an intellectual goal. The objective does not necessarily have to be achieved and can simple. For example, an objective may simply be 'to take a sip of water.' (Many great comedy bits are formed from simple objectives that are foiled.)




THETR 461:

Character Analysis

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