Wednesday, 23 January 2013

How is the comedy created in Act One of 'The History Boys'?

Think about possible essay questions and shape your comments around them. You could consider the serious issues in the play and how characters and themes are developed to explore them.

- Eccentric teachers, flourish and flamboiance can be comedic
- Slapstick humour
- Rivalry between Hector and Irwin

Themes:
- Abuse, violence and sexual
- Elitism / status
- References to shakespearian tradgedies e.g. King Lear, Hamlet

Is the comedy used as a medium for serious issues?
Why do we like Hector even though he's a paedophile?
Are hector and Irwin more similar than they seem?
Are attitudes and reactions the same now and in the 80's (when the play is set)?



 
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1 comment:

  1. Donald28 January 2013 at 08:27

    Your questions could be useful starting points for an essay. The audience's response to Hector could lead to some complex exploration.

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