Toward a dramaturgical sensibility

TOWARD A DRAMATURGICAL SENSIBILITY begins with a moment in Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra in which Cleopatra says to Antony, “Not know me yet?” With these four words Cleopatra poses a simple but fundamental human problem: What can we know? She and Anthony have known each other for years, at times gloriously – emotionally, mentally, and in the archaic sense of the word, physically – but still the challenge of knowing hangs in the air.

Cleopatra’s question reminds us that knowledge is not simple: that it is as likely to create yearning as satisfaction; that it is not confined to any one part of the self; that it is far from intellect alone. It reminds us – as do most great plays – that life is part wonder, part terror.

CONTENTS
Preface
Toward A Dramaturgical Sensibility
Part I: Landscape
1. Conversation
2. Pleasure
3. Pattern

Part II: Journey
4. Engage
5. Explore
6. Respond
Epilogue: Out Of Time