If one were to ask Beyonce, she would likely say, “girls.” BUT I have a much better and far more useful answer. In teaching play analysis for a hundred years, I have used every possible grid, outline, worksheet, questionnaire, and essay. My play analyses have been over 10 pages long (when they did them right!) where all factors of the character’s world would be pulled out of the text and fully footnoted. I have also used the opposite: where I gave out a simple index card and not much more than a verb. All served their purpose – – to a point.
But then I stumbled on the best question and the best answer of all. I believe it is the best because it mirrors the best question and answer we have in our own day-to-day life. AND when it gets close to answering my life and the life of the plays I think I must be on the right track.
Who rules the world? The one who loves less.
There you go – question and answer. Look at any play and identify those who love less and you will find the struggle, problem, and genesis of the fictional relationship. OR take the question into your own life and be brave enough to look at your answers – relationship by relationship.