Mythical Heroism and Satyr Plays: Lessons for Modern Society
Exploring the themes of mythical heroism, tragicomedy in Satyr plays, and the role of characters like Byron as feral outsiders in reflecting upon 21st-century society. The ancient Greek traditions of satyr plays and tragedy offer valuable lessons about the human condition and societal reflections, highlighting the timeless nature of storytelling and morality in different contexts.
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Jerusalem 2: The Satyr Monday, 16 September 2024 Jonathan Peel 2015 JLS
The Satyr Play Satyr plays were an ancient Greek form of tragicomedy, similar in spirit to the bawdy satire of burlesque. They featured choruses of satyrs, were based on Greek mythology, and were rife with mock drunkenness, brazen sexuality (including phallic props), pranks, sight gags, and general merriment. Jonathan Peel 2015 JLS
FORM Structure and characteristics of tragedy Comic form and rural setting Central characters Are mythical heroes Chorus of Satyrs led by Silenus (old) and given to dancing, drinking, whoring and use of low language in wild banter Designed to alleviate the tension of the true tragedies. Jonathan Peel 2015 JLS
Tragedy Downfall of one of high status is inevitable Inability to see own FLAW a character trait which adds to the inevitability Audience Learn through the suffering of the main character. the key to Greek Tragedy. What lessons about our world and the Human Condition might we be being taught by Johnny? Why might this feral outsider be precisely the right person to hold the mirror to 21st century society? Jonathan Peel 2015 JLS
Byron as mythical hero? Meets Giants (story 4) Escapes from captivity (Story 5) Magical birth and creation (story 3) Dares to enter the enemy s lair and despoil their women (story 2) Sexual prowess with Girls Aloud (Story 1) Mythical prowess as daredevil Cheats Death Jonathan Peel 2015 JLS
Byron is more than human Despite a slight limp he moves with the balance of a dancer, or animal Sticks his head in the trough Breakfast of milk, vodka, speed and egg in a pint glass full of recent cigarettes and other gunk long feral bellow from the heart of the Earth All Jerusalem PP9&10 Jonathan Peel 2015 JLS
Role To battle against the evil powers of the state and save the world To protect the innocent To Allow initiation rites to take place safely To exist on the liminal boundary between the human world and the superhuman To present an alternative vision of society and mankind Jonathan Peel 2015 JLS
Chorus Led by OLD SILENUS in the shape of GINGER Too old to be part of this group Clutching at memory and trying to relive glory days Often supported by satyrs due to age and drunken state Wise? Jonathan Peel 2015 JLS
The Satyrs Young followers of Dionysus (God of Wine and revelry) Usually male (Satyresses are a later invention) Drink and sex Phallic depiction in art Jonathan Peel 2015 JLS
in this play The satyr pack is wild but fickle All will leave and all have taken part in humiliation via mobile-phone of their god Even Silenus will be driven away as Pan/Dionysus/Christ faces his end Christ? Jonathan Peel 2015 JLS
Christ? The Virgin Birth myth The Resurrection Can we find any echoes of other Christian messages in the play? TASK: suffer the children to come unto me : explore this idea in the behaviour of Johnny and his followers Jonathan Peel 2015 JLS
Protector or Abuser? Phaedra is 15 and is missing for a week She is living in Johnny s caravan Her step father is implicated by Johnny in abuse of the girl. Jerusalem Pp80-81 it s not just you feel a little bit randy today? Bet it s hard to sleep with her right next door. She in your dreams, boy? She in your dreams? Johnny is presented as innocent around Phaedra: I don t expect nothing from you, fairy Jerusalem p.102 BUT society dictates that Johnny must be the abuser since she is under 15 and there is a lack of clarity about these issues. Society, in the shape of Troy, will seek vengeance on an outsider. Jonathan Peel 2015 JLS
Another Pan Peter Pan Never ages Surrounded by lost boys Adventures Battles Time Implacable enemy in Captain Hook Will be left alone when children return home Look out for these ideas surfacing in the play. Jonathan Peel 2015 JLS
