Voicing One’s Will. Theatre as Audio-Visual Hypotyposis of the Poetic

Abstract

This contribution invites the reader on a conceptual and imaginary journey through the relation between the visual and auditive dimensions of theatre. A reading of Ovid’s metamorphosis of Hermaphroditus and Salmacis will illustrate the general idea which I will then confront with the recent proposal of Denis Guénoun to conceive of theatre as the (visual) hypotyposis of poetry. Hegel and others will serve as the catalyst potion to allow for a union of the two lines of thought, leading to the conclusion that theatre is not only a visual but also an auditive hypotyposis of the poetic – in a wide sense, encompassing music and dance. The roots of theatre are often identified in Ancient Greek tragedy and comedy. In that context, a link between the terms “theatre” and “theory” has been observed via the verb theôrein (being spectator, behold) and its noun thea (view, spectacle). It might thus seem that theatre is first of all to be viewed, and that sound and listening are secondary. The following thoughts provide an additional view – if not a different understanding.