Analysis of the Play by Peter Weiss-Marat - Research Paper Example

?Analysis of the play by Peter Weiss-Marat/Sade Introduction: The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of theAsylum of Charenton under the Direction of the Marquis de Sade is play by Peter Weiss. This play is also known as Marat/Sade in the world of English Literature which was written in 1963 and initially it was published in German (Lorna Berman). The central idea of the play revolves around the human efforts and struggle in achieving revolution as well as it also discusses the common thought that how changes can be brought in the society; either by changing oneself or by changing the society at large. The important thing is to pull yourself up by your own hair to turn yourself inside out and see the whole world with fresh eyes (Weiss 27) Background of the play: Weiss has given voice to his words in the form of this play which revolves around the central idea of capitalism that shattered the state of the entire world during his times. This play highlights the Marxist point of view and a debate that takes between Marat and Sade. Marat stands as a figure who wants to bring revolution to the country’s present state whereas Sade is highlighted as a figure who in under the influence of demoralized western life standards. Marat believes in changing the situation and the state of life by bringing revolution, but on the other hand, Sade believes that nothing can bring revolution in the country. Sade opposes the ideas of Marat. This play reflects the personal thinking and ideology of Peter Weiss that he believed that changes or revolutions can bring positivity in the lives. Peter Weiss personally supports Marat and considers him as a real victor. Analysis of the play: The background and structure of the play revolves around the historical events from the French Revolution highlighting the philosophical arguments. The theme of the play holds philosophical background. The play is projected in a setting of Charenton insane asylum’s therapeutic bath which was considered as a place for the people with unacceptable behavior no matter if they are sane or insane. Marat and Sade hold prominent status in the play as protagonist. Sade was imprisoned in the asylum for his bad behavior and sexual offenses. He lived in that place for all his life and presented different plays for his inmates. On the other hand, Marat was a prominent respectable figure who worked as a physician. Marat also had a reputable name as being the editor of a newspaper in which he wrote about French Revolution and massacre brought during the times of Napoleon. Their meeting in the play is just imaginary which holds no reliable source that these two different personalities have ever met in their lives. The play revolves around three phases: 1- The French Revolution and the assassination of Marat 2- Sade’s production of the play in Charenton 3- And the performance of the play in 20th century. The play shows several encounters between the two characters. Every time they meet, they are engaged in philosophical dialogue. Marat being the idealist believes the fact that society and humanity can be saved through revolution (Christine Gallagher). On the other hand, Sade opposes his thoughts and believes that Marat thinks nothing but of fantasies and it is impossible to bring about the changes. Some of the important characters in the play are the priest named Jacques Roux, Duperret who is a lover of Charlotte Corday and Simonne Evrard; who is projected as the mistress of Marat. The play ends on the stabbing of Marat and the rise of Revolution (Lorna Berman). The Exchange of Philosophical Dialogue between Marat and Sade: While one appears as a strong opponent to the dreams and ideology of the other both Marat and Sade leave an ever-lasting impression on the minds of the readers. Sade: Compassion Now Marat you are talking like an aristocrat Compassion is the property of the privileged classes When the pitier lowers himself to give to a beggar he throbs with contempt To protect his riches he pretends to be moved and his gift to the beggar amounts to no more than a kick {lute chord} No Marat no small emotions please Your feelings were never petty For you just as for me only the most extreme actions matter. Marat: If I am extreme I am not extreme in the same way as you Against Nature’s silence I use action In the vast indifference I invent a meaning I don’t watch unmoved I intervene and say that this and this are wrong and I work to alter them and improve them The important thing is to pull yourself up by your own hair to turn yourself inside out and see the whole world with fresh eyes In this philosophical debate between the two extremists it is evidently clear for us to recognize the spirit of revolution in the words of Marat that encourages him to take stand on his stance. His words portray his idealism and concept of being a hero who can bring about the changes in the form of revolution (Susan Sontag). Where Marat claims himself as, “I am a revolution” at the very point Sade denies his ideology and heroism by saying, “For me the only reality is imagination, the world inside myself. The Revolution no longer interests me.” The debate between Marat and Sade is the heart of this play. In another scene, when Sade is sitting in the chair and Marat in his bath speaks on the meaning of French Revolution, “on the psychological and political premises of modern history, but seen through a very modern sensibility, one equipped with the hindsight afforded by the Nazi concentration camps.” Both of the men struggle with each other on how to suppress the desperate feeling of being alive, but their struggle takes a different opposite direction. Sade appears as the realistic figure whereas Marat is an idealist. Marat sees himself as the fuelling fire in the cause of revolution whereas Sade believes in his individualistic character (Susan Sontag). Conclusion: The play reflects the political views that Weiss wanted to show in his script. Weiss has favored Marat but he does not show that revolution can bring changes to humans and the society. Even Marat has been speaking of the shortcomings on revolution. But Marat believed in the fact that people should adopt a new vision in order to bring changes and development in the society. Revolutions can bring greater changes. Peter Weiss has pinned this idea in his writing. From the lens of French Revolution, Peter Weiss has infused the ideology behind any revolution in the minds of his readers. It is the most predominant topic of Marat/Sade’s conversation. Though the setting of the play projects the time period of French Revolution, but in play-within-play the ideology for giving rise to revolution starts from the year 1793, which is the early revolutionary point that paved the new horizons for the French Revolution to begin (Lorna Berman). Peter Weiss has intelligently used this subject as the topic to stir controversy and to play with the emotions of his audience. Each character in the play views the revolution from a different prospect. The director of the Charenton Asylum, Coulmier, is the representative of new regime; he secures the rights of the current elite class. He is the one who enthusiastically opposes revolution against the new regime. He believes the fact that it is because the new regime, the government and the society controlled under the command of Napoleon that gives him the authority to rule. I must interrupt this argument We agreed to make some cuts in this passage After all nobody now objects to the church.... There's no question of anyone being oppressed.... (29) On the other hand, the former priest Jacques Roux favors revolution and he is the most radical in his believes. Roux has been portrayed as powerful in his minor role who pose threat to the establishment. Pick up your arms Fight for your rights Grab what you need and grab it now or wait a hundred years and see what the authorities arrange (42) Marat; the victor in the play, strongly believes in revolution but sometimes he appears disillusioned on his own ideas about the revolution. He is unable to understand that the violence is transforming into greater violence, the revolution he is dreaming about is turning into a gigantic revolutionary wave which is causing damages to his ideology. His skin ailment symbolizes his feelings of betrayal in revolution, his meandering thoughts on revolution and his struggle to bring about the revolution, all these components are adding to his mental instability, thus, granting him no peace of mind. The more he scratches his skin, the more it irritates; the more he struggles hard about bringing revolution; the more it causes damages to his ideals. Though his ideas on revolution has managed to stir the walls of the society, leaving him die as strong supporter of revolution but till his death, Marat was turned into a radical revolutionist that caused much damage to his inner conscience. On the other hand, we see Sade as an opponent of the revolutionary ideas as proposed by Marat but still he can be considered as a supporter of his revolutionary rights. He proudly claims his role in the destruction of Bastille (Lorna Berman). Despite his sadism and anti-revolutionary ideas, we can see him supporting the chaos and fuelling the revolt at Charenton Asylum. He criticizes Marat for his foolish pretense and the idea that revolution can contribute in the betterment of the society. My patriotism's bigger than yours They're all ready to die for the honor of France Radical or moderate they're all after the taste of blood... (Weiss 40) This play demonstrates an epic battle between the two ideologies. The play reflects the ideological conflict between Sade and Marat on individualism and socialism. Although revolution can bring fruitful results to the society but we can see that Weiss has supported the philosophy of individualism coined by Sade. Despite this fact, we cannot ignore the efforts made by Marat in the quest to ignite the flame of revolution in the minds of the people around him. Work Cited: Weiss, P. The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum of Charenton under the Direction of the Marquis de Sade (New York: Atheneum, 1965. Print. Berman, L. The Thoughts and Themes of the Marquis de Sade. Kitchener, Ontario: Ainsworth Press Ltd, 1979. Print. Sontag, S. Marat/Sade/Artaud: Against Interpretation. New York: Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 1966. Print. Gallagher, C. Marxism and the New Historicism. The New Historicism. Ed . H Aram Veeser. New York: Routledge, 1989. Print. Read More