WEEK 13: THE GOLDEN AGE
The Golden Age

Week #13

... That thou no more wilt
weigh my eyelids down

William Shakespeare: King Henry IV. Part II.


EXTRA...EXTRA
WORTH A LOOK
Louis Nowra Web Site
Production photographs of The Golden Age/FONT>

THE GOLDEN AGE
  1. At the core, The Golden Age is a love story between Betsheb and Francis. In his preface to the play, Nowra tells us that if these two have have anything in common, it is that they are both outsiders? In what sense are both Betsheb and Francis outsiders?

  2. What is the significance of the opening scene where Elizabeth and William are performing a scene from Iphigenia in Tauris?

  3. What's the significance of the second Iphigenia at Taurus scene (pp. 90-91)?

  4. What's the significance that the second Iphigenia in Tauris scene is interrupted and we learn that this is a charity benefit production for blind children?

  5. What's the significance of the title?

  6. What's the significance of the Greek temple?

  7. In M. Butterfly, the strategy of the playwright was to tell us from the start what happened. What strategy does Nowra use?

  8. What is the significance behind the fact that we aren't told right away that Stef is autistic?

  9. How are Francis' and Peters' occupations symbolically significant?

  10. What is the significance of Francis fighting with Mac?

  11. What's the significance of Francis saying that the trams "rattle and squeak, like ghost rattling their chains."

  12. What's the significance of Peter saying, "she's probably as crazy as the rest of them?"

  13. What is the significance of WIlliam saying, "so ladies and gentlemen, the children of our past?"

  14. After seeing Betsheb do her grande dame farting reenactment, Elizabeth says, "you couldn't get anything more Australian that that!" How is this particular reaction significant?

  15. What's the significance of Mrs. Witcome saying, "your mum was always quiet...kept to herself .... when I die, it'll be the same. (p. 58)?

  16. What's the significance of Peter and Francis talking about flowers?

  17. What's the significance of William saying, "I'm going to conquer you. Understand you (p. 61). Is William a sympathetic character?

  18. What's the significance of Ayre saying "Night spirits are related to our violent ancestors, the true criminals (p. 67)?"

  19. What's the significance of Dr. Simon taking a picture of Mac's dead body?

  20. What's the significance of Betsheb tearing up the flower beds?

  21. What's the significance of Francis saying that he's quite at home in prison?

  22. What's the significance of the American prisoner chanting, "hoy, hoy, I'm the boy?" (pp. 85-88)?

  23. What's the significance of the very last scene?

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