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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. This is a perversion of theater to represent psychological and social conflicts and daily life, simply because the object of theater is not psychological but rather plastic and essentially what?

2. Who had a prophetic dream about a plague destroying his city?

3. What is the title of the painting which Artaud holds in great esteem in "Metaphysics and the Mise en Scene"?

4. The author writes of the Balinese theater that "the sense of a new _________ based upon signs and no longer upon words, is liberated."

5. What is the duration of all of the great plagues, according to Artaud?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Artaud describe the gestures of the Balinese Theater? How are they "understandable?"

2. What reality should the theater reflect, according to the author in "The Alchemical Theater"?

3. What must occur for the theater to be restored, according to the author?

4. What does the author claim is the reasoning behind why the public is turning away from the "higher" arts in "No More Masterpieces"?

5. How does Artaud relate theater to the painting from "Metaphysics and the Mise en Scene"?

6. How does the author describe the effects of a plague on civilization?

7. What good does the author assert comes from both plagues and theater?

8. What replaces the playwright in the Balinese Theater? How is this figure described?

9. In what reference does Artaud comment on Plato in "The Alchemical Theater"?

10. Who does Artaud hold responsible for much of the "masterpieces" he wants to demolish? Why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the techniques of the actor as Artaud describes them in "An Affective Athleticism." What are the principle areas an actor should focus on in approaching training and a role?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the elements of Artaud's theories and Theater of Cruelty as they appear in today's world. Where can we see examples of Artaud's ideas in employment today?

Essay Topic 3

In "The Alchemical Theater," the author uses another metaphor. Describe this metaphor as it applies to the theater.

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