Article

Name: Dramatis Personae List as a Part of the Drama Paratext: A Functional Perspective

Authors: Olga A. Chureyeva

V. I. Vernadsky Crimean Federal University, Simferopol, Russian Federation

Abstract:

The present research is devoted to the functional analysis of dramatis personae list as a part of play paratext. A study of four-act Chekhov’s plays is primarily associated with exploring of the play ‘The Seagull’. The main principles and features of dramatis personae list constitution are considered in this paper. The research aims to make a conclusion related to the value of information provided in the dramatis personae list for the interpretation of dramatic text. It is pointed out that family ties explicit, not by means of the shared surnames, but due to the relevant author’s comments. The order and sequence of character’s names in the list are determined by the kinship criterion and seems telenomic. It is emphasized, that consideration the dramatis personae list allows to gain a tentative hypothesis regarding the storyline of the play and the nature of social relations between the characters. It has been proven that it is possible to glean knowledge about interpersonal relationships between characters, attitude of surrounding people toward them, author’s intent and even author’s empathy for his characters.

Keywords: dramatis personae list, dramatic text, paratext, play, interpretation, Anton P. Chekhov, play ‘The Seagull’

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