Beyond Language: The Role of Silence, Gesture, and Atmosphere in Fosse's Dramatic Works
Keywords:
Fosse, silence, gesture, atmosphere, theatre of the absurd, modern drama, new dramaAbstract
This paper examines the distinctive elements of Jon Fosse’s theatrical style, shaped by his profound literary, theatrical, and philosophical background. He uses certain forms of silence and gestures as a weapon in his dramas. Taking inspiration from the Theater of the Absurd, he sought to liberate and experiment with language. Fosse uses silence, gesture, and atmosphere to craft unique dramatic experiences. Silence in Fosse's works transcends dialogue, engaging the audience with underlying emotions. Subtle gestures convey unspoken thoughts, while minimalist settings and evocative language create an immersive atmosphere. This exploration positions Fosse alongside modernist figures like Samuel Beckett, highlighting his commitment to exploring human experience and redefining contemporary theatre and literature. Through innovative techniques, Fosse invites audiences to find profound meaning in the ordinary, solidifying his legacy in modern drama.
References
Brater, Enoch. Beyond Minimalism: Beckett's Late Style in the Theater. Oxford University Press, 1987.
Fosse, Jon. Death Variations. Translated by May-Brit Akerholt, manuscript, 2001.
---Der Name. Translated by Hinrich Schmidt-Henkel, manuscript, undated.
--- Imie. Translated by ElŜbieta Frątczak-Nowotny, Dialog, no. 1, 2000.
---Jméno. Noc zpívá své písně. Translated by Karolína Stehlíková, Divadelní ústav, 2002.
---Plays One (Someone is Going to Come, The Name, The Guitar Man, The Child). Translated by Gregory Motton and Louis Muinzer, Oberon Books, 2002.
---Winter. Translated by Ann Henning Jocelyn, manuscript, undated.
Fuchs, Elinor. "Marriage, Metaphysics and The Lady from the Sea Problem." Modern Drama, vol. 33, no. 3, 1990, pp. 434–444.
Gates, Anita. "Young Suicide in the Eyes of Norwegian Playwrights Old and New, Ibsen and Non-Ibsen." New York Times, 2006.
Goodman, Lizbeth, and Jane de Gay, editors. The Routledge Reader in Politics and Performance. Routledge, 2000.
Grøndahl, Carl Erik. "Jon Fosse: En introduksjon." Dramatikerens poetikk. Forlaget Oktober, 1996.
Heith, Anne. "The Lyrical Flow in Jon Fosse's Plays." Scandinavian Studies, vol. 69, no. 1, 1997, pp. 35-45.
"Jon Fosse." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 7 Jul. 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Fosse. Accessed 24 Jul. 2024.
Korynta, Kyle Andrew. A Comparative Study of Selected Plays by Jon Fosse and Henrik Ibsen: Affinity, Affect, and the Altering of Aura. PhD dissertation, University of Washington, 2012.
Rees, Ellen. "By the Open Sea: Ibsen’s Fruen fra Havet and Jon Fosse’s Nokon kjem til å komme." Ibsen Studies, vol. 10, no. 2, 2011, pp. 192–222.
Rees, Margaret A. Staging Scandinavia: Jon Fosse and Nordic Theatre. Nordic Academic Press, 2008.
Rottem, Øystein. "The Modern Tragedy in Jon Fosse's Works." Scandinavian Studies Journal, translated by John Smith, vol. 45, no. 2, 2005, pp. 123-134.
Skei, Hans H. Norwegian Literature: A Critical History. Universitetsforlaget, 1997.
Sunde, Sarah Cameron. "Silence and Space: The New Drama of Jon Fosse." PAJ: A Journal of Performance and Art, vol. 29, no. 3, 2007, pp. 57–60.
Wærp, Lisbeth P. "Jon Fosse's Poetic Drama." Nordic Theatre Studies, vol. 14, 2002, pp. 87-99.
