Aspects of ethics in four plays by Hélène Cixous

Williams, Martina (2012) Aspects of ethics in four plays by Hélène Cixous. MA(Res) thesis, University of Nottingham.

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Abstract

This thesis examines ethical questions in four plays written by Hélène Cixous for the Théâtre du Soleil; L'Histoire terrible mais inachevée de Norodom Sihanouk, roi du Cambodge (1985), L'Indiade ou L'Inde de leurs rêves (1987), La Ville parjure ou le Réveil des Erinyes (1994), and Tambours sur la digue (1999). It begins by establishing a working definition of the remit of ethics and discussing some of Cixous's accounts of writing for the theatre. It goes on to compare the use of power by three different groups in Norodom, suggesting how power may be used ethically. There is an examination of how identity is created in Indiade, which leads to analyses of the ethical value of love and of innocence. Three conflicting models of justice are identified in Ville parjure, and there is an exploration of the question of what the basis of justice should be. The ethical implications of the manipulation of the dramatic form of tragedy in Tambours are then discussed. In the final chapter of the thesis, the responses to these apparently disparate questions are brought together. Drawing on the conclusions of the previous chapters, the final chapter suggests answers to the questions of 'where can ethical questions be asked?', 'what should the basis of ethics be?', and 'whom should I care about?'.

Item Type: Thesis (University of Nottingham only) (MA(Res))
Supervisors: Still, J.M.
Keywords: Cixous, Theatre, Ethics
Subjects: P Language and literature > PQ Romance literatures > PQ1 French literature
Faculties/Schools: UK Campuses > Faculty of Arts > School of Cultures, Languages and Area Studies
Item ID: 13069
Depositing User: EP, Services
Date Deposited: 09 Dec 2013 13:13
Last Modified: 17 Dec 2017 22:55
URI: https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/13069

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