Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-p9bg8 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-26T07:24:49.859Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

A Note on J. L. Austin and the Drama

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 April 2001

Bryan Magee
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

A play's text is nearly all talk, and in the performance of a play the physical activity is sparse and exceedingly limited. Used of a play, the term ‘action’ does not mean what it normally means. Its true meaning is illuminated by reference to J. L. Austin and his doctrine of speech-acts. Dramatic action is, for the most part, speech-action. And a skilful manipulation of speech-acts enables the gifted dramatist not only to tell a story but to communicate what is going on below the surface.

Type
Brief Report
Information
Philosophy , Volume 74 , Issue 1 , January 1999 , pp. 119 - 121
Copyright
© The Royal Institute of Philosophy 1999

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)