Analysis Of The Learned Ladies

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Les Femmes Savantes The Learned Ladies is an astounding play. As each new character enters time transforms characters are bedazzled, enchanted and wigged we know we are sharing the stage with royalty. The women’s gowns are extremely detailed with hoop shirts to make them puffy the men are wearing exceptionally detailed waistcoats. This comical drama is set in the living room or “salon” of the family. This plays plot is focused on one major couples chaotic and forbidden love. The characters are joined by blood and lead by the controlling wife, Philamonte (Maya Jackson) and her weak spouse Chrysale (Edward Brown III). Jackson’s voice is directing with a profound tone that would have the capacity to stop anybody dead in their tracks. It is not …show more content…

As mentioned, The Learned Ladies has one of the best sets, especially given the limitations of the that particular room. The walls were crafted with awesome detail and the walls really helped to hear the voices in a unique way. The actors consistently moved about the floor in order to balance the scene which also made it feel more interactive. 
 The music was simply in my opinion, background noise which helped, especially at the beginning to put the audience in place and time. The main theme I believe that The Learned Ladies encompasses is approval and greed. This play looks at the limits we are willing to go for our own happiness, but not the happiness of others. I particularly enjoy the fact that in the end, we see the true colors of each complex character. Since it is a comedy I think it is funny that it makes light of the arguments between husband and wife. 
 The diction of the play relates to the characters. In Wilbur’s translation, the dialogue is in steady couplets the flow is extremely interesting with one actor rhyming their line with that of the line that came before it. All of the characters speak in this fashion with the exception of the Maid, who finds plain words do a better job of getting to the heart of the matter. 
 The spectacle of this play is limited which is why there is such weight put on the actors themselves. Their scene and ensembles never show signs of change yet they develop and grow. There is a huge stress on the statue, which whom the Learned Ladies bow

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