Dreams and Realities: Shakespeare, Pinter and Churchill Compared

Authors

  • Akram Shalghin

    Department of English Language and Literature, Jadara University, Irbid, Jordan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i1.7391
Received: 3 September 2024 | Revised: 24 October 2024 | Accepted: 4 Novembe 2024 | Published Online: 16 December 2024

Abstract

This paper examines the interplay between feminist thought and theatre, focusing on Harold Pinter and Caryl Churchill alongside William Shakespeare’s classical texts. It analyses how these playwrights address gender, identity, and societal norms through a feminist lens, tracing the evolution of feminist discourse in theatre. Using comparative textual analysis, the study explores Pinter’s surrealism, Churchill’s feminist critique, and Shakespeare’s engagement with dreams and reality. Through key scenes, dialogues, and theatrical techniques, it highlights how Pinter and Churchill challenge traditional gender roles and reflect the complexities of female experiences, while Shakespeare’s work serves as a foundational influence on contemporary feminist interpretations. The findings reveal that Pinter and Churchill’s innovative narratives critique societal norms, whereas Shakespeare’s texts inform modern understandings of gender and identity. This study underscores the enduring significance of these playwrights in shaping feminist thought and their relevance in contemporary performance. By bridging classical and modern works, the paper contributes to the discourse on feminism in theatre, advocating for a nuanced exploration of how texts inform perspectives on gender, power, and identity in the context of today’s societal challenges.

Keywords:

Harold Pinter; Caryl Churchill; Shakespeare; A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Gender Identity

References

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How to Cite

Shalghin, A. (2025). Dreams and Realities: Shakespeare, Pinter and Churchill Compared. Forum for Linguistic Studies, 7(1), 15–26. https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i1.7391

Issue

Vol. 7 , Iss. 1 (January 2025): In Progress

Article Type

Article

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Copyright © 2024 Moussa Diagne Faye, Vini Yves Bernadin Loyara, Amadou Keita, Mamadou Diop, Angelbert Chabi Biaou, Mahamadou Koita, Hamma Yacouba

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This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.