In the great debate between Sade and Mart, Sade's viewpoint is more complex and ambiguous. As an aristocrat turned Revolutionary turned voice for political apathy, his worldview is strange and inwardly focused. Write an essay on etymology of this viewpoint. Why did Sade join the Revolution, and why was he repelled by it? What does he view as most important in life? What is his attitude toward violence and its place in society?

Essay Topic 2

The idea of the reactionary is a constant theme throughout the play. Write an essay about the revolutionary attitude toward those who wish to reverse the social changes recently made. For each character below, explain their attitude toward the Revolution as a whole, Marat in particular, and violence in general:

Part 1) Corday

Part 2) Sade

Part 3) Coulmier

Essay Topic 3

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 onstage interact with her?

Part 3) What is Duperret's mental infirmity? How does this affect his interaction with Corday? How does the Herald deal with him in his scene's with Corday?

(see the answer keys)

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