![]() ![]() Although many of theatre’s most famous characters die or receive visits from ghosts (see most of Shakespeare’s tragedies), rarely does the figure of Death itself appear on stage. Theatre, on the other hand, does not have the same affinity for depicting a personified Death. Shows from The Simpsons and Scooby Doo to The Regular Show and The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy have offered comedic, animated takes on the character. The Grim Reaper is also a ubiquitous presence in modern television cartoons. Ingmar Bergman’s 1957 classic The Seventh Seal set the bar for depictions of Death on the big screen, inspiring parodies in later films such as Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey and Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life. In literature, Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series and Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief famously include the robed reaper. In the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, the Grim Reaper personification has continued to permeate popular culture as one of the most ubiquitous representations of Death. The black robes mimic the appearance of religious officials during funerary proceedings of the era, and the scythe was a common agricultural tool used to ‘reap’ or harvest crops, hence the association between it and the harvesting of souls from the earth. The imagery of the Grim Reaper is grounded in that period and place. ![]() Tall guy, skull face, black cloak, carrying a scythe-sound familiar? You may also know that our popular conception of Death as a hooded, human-like form emerged during the 14th century, when the original outbreak of the bubonic plague occurred in Europe. or Europe, you’re probably conjuring an image of the Grim Reaper. What does Death look like, in your mind’s eye? If you grew up in the U.S. By Elena Freck, Production Dramaturg (Everybody) ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |