Equus | Themes

Equus Themes

Freedom

There is an ethical ambiguity explored in Equus, the conflict between two ideas of right. The freedom of the individual to do whatever he or she wants must always be balanced with the social need to limit this freedom when a person's actions are harmful to others. This is certainly the case with Alan's shocking crime; society's highest priority in this case is to put Alan away, or to cure his psychological distress so that, hopefully, he will not again cause such harm. Dysart recognizes that he cannot simply allow Alan to act entirely of his own will, but at the same time he is loathe to administer a cure that will most likely quell or kill the boy's imagination and passion. The doctor also worries that the force driving Alan's actions is something closer to instinct rather than a simple mental problem. He is concerned that squelching such impulses...
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