Abstract
A well-prepared stage fight can be an exciting occasion. The flashing blades, the romantic sound of steel on steel, the growing tension in the audience as the fight builds to the inevitable climax; all these factors blend to create an exhilarating theatrical experience. All too often, however, the director treats the stage fight as an obstacle to be quickly skirted without physical damage to actor, costume or scenery - a situation better imagined than described. As Alfred Harbage points out, "it is easier to use a weapon with lethal skill than to seem to do so." The director, however, can overcome this problem with a little planning and numerous rehearsals. Planning any stage fight requires an understanding of the reason for its inclusion in the play.
A playwright might place a fight scene in the play to provide some swashbuckling excitement, although we may assume that most fight scenes possess more significance than mere titillation. Fencing scenes aid in the development of character, advance the action of the plot, and reveal the playwright's purpose on a symbolic level.
Journal Title
Iowa Journal of Speech
Volume
1
Issue
1
First Page
18
Last Page
23
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Recommended Citation
Glenn, George D.
(1969)
""What's His Weapon?" "Rapier and Dagger.","
Iowa Journal of Communication: Vol. 1:
No.
1, Article 6.
Available at:
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/ijc/vol1/iss1/6
Copyright
©1969 Iowa Journal of Speech
