The Love of the Nightingale: cultural context

Cultural Context and Setting

Period Setting

Situated in ancient Greece, The Love of the Nightingale draws heavily from the Greek myth of Philomela, Procne and Tereus.
It’s translated to the present day context of the 1980s to emphasize timeless human tendencies and societal issues, such as abuse of power, sexual violence and silence of victims.

Greek Mythology

Being an adaptation of a Greek myth, the play retains various elements from its source - burette of Athenian Gods, depiction of Greek society and norms, traditional and heroic characters, and use of morality and fate.
Wertenbaker incorporates the Greek myth to mirror the power structures of contemporary society, subtly critiquing the inherent patriarchal systems.

Chorus and Storytelling

Traditional Greek theatre styles are evident in the play, particularly the use of the Chorus. Serving as a community voice, the Chorus is influential in setting the context, delivering ethical judgement and breaking the fourth wall to directly address the audience.
Greek storytelling also plays a pivotal role, as the narrative unfolds through the recounting of past events by the Chorus, rather than direct action.

Cultural Influence

Feminism

The play, produced in the feminist wave of the 1980s, epitomises feminist themes and ideologies.
Wertenbaker explores aspects of female identity, agency, and victimhood through the character of Philomele while challenging the patriarchal norms via characters like Tereus.
The play also presents a critique of the patriarchal control of language and storytelling, owning up to the silenced voice of Philomele and rendering her a powerful narrative tool.

Silencing

Silencing as a popular trope reflects the cultural reality of the 1980s, where victims of abuse were often deprived of a voice.
Philomele’s enforced silence is a powerful symbol. Her weaving of the story into a tapestry, however, becomes a tool of communication illustrating the resilience and strength of the oppressed.

Historical Allusions

The play consists several historical allusions - including references to the anti-apartheid struggles and the Vietnam War.
These shed light on Wertenbaker’s critique of colonialism, authoritarian regimes and war, illustrating her plea for peace, justice and fairness mirroring that of the time’s political and social milieu.

To comprehend The Love of the Nightingale fully, understanding the interplay of its cultural context is instrumental. Delving deeper into the historical, social and cultural milieu not only enriches the reading experience, but also reveals the myriad of themes and motifs the play explores.