The Love of the Nightingale: genre

The Love of the Nightingale: genre

Genre - The Love of the Nightingale

Introduction

• “The Love of the Nightingale” is a modern drama written by Timberlake Wertenbaker in 1988.
• It’s drawn from the ancient Greek myth of Philomele and is part of the contemporary canon of modern mythic dramas.

Type of Drama

• The play is a combination of tragedy and dramatic irony, infused with elements of ancient Greek theatre.

Greek Tragedy Elements

• The presence of a Chorus who comment on the action is a key element of ancient Greek theatre.
• The usage of masks, representing various characters or expressing different emotions, is another traditional Greek element used.

Modern Drama Elements

• The play adopts features of the modern theatre such as the non-linear timeline and the blurring between reality and the characters’ perception.
• The play also utilises Brechtian techniques like direct address to the audience, which links with the modern theatre tradition.

Meta-Theatrical Elements

• The play itself is a play within a play, adding another layer of complexity to its genre.
• Themes of the power, the possibility and the limitation of storytelling are present throughout, making the play both about the myth and about the nature of theatre.

Political Element

• It was written during the late 20th century, a time noted for political theatre, and the play is often interpreted as a feminist critique of patriarchal society.

Conclusion

• The Love Of The Nightingale is a complex blend of styles - an ancient myth contextualised through a modern feminist perspective, making it a unique and complex genre.