Theatre of the Oppressed

Introduction Summary

Philosophers have debated the relationship between art and politics since the emergence of the disciplines themselves. Boal poses several questions about the nature of art and the way it interacts with and is influenced by the exterior world. Boal turns to Aristotle to find the origin of theater in the Western tradition, as the Greek philosopher had a profound impact on art and other disciplines. Boal explores and deconstructs Aristotle’s ideas, which portray art and politics as completely different fields with laws unique to their own purposes and meaning.

Boal argues that Aristotle’s construction is exactly what it says it is not: the birth of a poetic-political system. He believes that by establishing art as separate from politics, Aristotle created a framework within which art could not be analyzed with a political lens. The Brazilian director suggests that Western theater is designed to intimidate and subvert the audience members into accepting a political message. He adds that this format continues to be utilized in television and other forms of media in the contemporary age.

Art Imitates Nature

To understand Aristotle’s work, Boal digs into the Greek philosopher’s definition of art by applying a new translation to Aristotle’s