Marat / Sade Papers & Assignment Topics

Essay Topics/Writing Assignments

These 20 essay questions can be used as essay questions on a test, or as stand-alone essay topics for a take-home or in-class writing assignment. Students should have a full understanding of the text in order to answer these questions. They ask for a thorough analysis of the text.

1. In The Marat/Sade, Peter Weiss creates a compelling dynamic for his cast: many of his cast members are mentally disturbed, and their psychological infirmities affect their roles in the play-within-the-play. Write an essay on this dynamic in three parts:

Part 1) What is the infirmity of the actor playing Marat? How does this infirmity make him particularly appropriate for the role? How does this infirmity limit his movement on the stage?
Part 2) What is Charlotte Corday's ailment? How does this affect her ability to play her role in the play-within-the-play? How do the other characters...
(read more)