Stella Adler’s Method
Discussion Question
So my question to you is this–is method acting ethical? That is, method acting according to Meisner and Strasberg. Do you think it’s a good idea to expect actors to draw on their painful pasts, and does that create a better performance? Is it worth it? Or do you think an actor’s imagination can do the job if they work on it enough? What if they don’t have a painful past?
Which is the sign of a better actor–one who can imagine them self into an emotional state or one who draws on their own personal pain? Is one more ethical or moral?
Please also remember that when you sign up for an acting class, you may not get advanced notice that the method that is being taught will require you to draw on your own past in this way.
Please think about this question for a while before you answer. Don’t just give your gut response.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Title: The Ethical Considerations of Method Acting: Balancing Personal Experience and Imagination
Introduction
Method acting, as developed by influential acting teachers such as Lee Strasberg and Sanford Meisner, has been a subject of debate in the world of theater. This technique requires actors to draw on their personal experiences, sometimes delving into painful memories, in order to bring authenticity to their performances. The question of whether method acting is ethical arises from concerns about the potential harm it may cause to actors and the impact it has on the quality of their performances. This essay aims to explore the ethical considerations surrounding method acting and consider the balance between personal experience and imagination in the pursuit of creating compelling characters on stage.
Thesis Statement
While method acting can provide actors with a deeper understanding of their characters and enhance their performances, it is essential to approach this technique ethically by prioritizing the mental and emotional well-being of the actors. Balancing personal experience with imaginative exploration is key to ensuring a creative and psychologically safe environment within the realm of method acting.
Exploring the Value of Personal Experience
Enhanced Emotional Depth: Drawing on personal experiences can allow actors to tap into genuine emotions, lending authenticity and depth to their performances. By connecting with their own emotions, actors may better understand the motivations, reactions, and struggles of their characters.
Empathy and Relatability: Personal experiences can provide actors with a unique perspective, allowing them to empathize with characters and create more relatable portrayals. This connection can foster a deeper connection between the actor and the audience.
Ethical Concerns and Potential Harms
Psychological Impact: Delving into painful memories and traumatic experiences can be emotionally challenging for actors. It is crucial for acting teachers and directors to create a supportive environment that prioritizes mental well-being and offers resources for actors to process any emotional distress that may arise.
Boundaries and Consent: Actors should have agency over how much of their personal experiences they choose to share or utilize in their performances. Clear communication between actors, teachers, and directors is essential to establish boundaries and ensure informed consent.
The Role of Imagination
Creative Freedom: Imagination allows actors to explore a wide range of emotions and experiences beyond their personal history. It encourages innovation and creativity, enabling actors to transcend their own limitations and bring diverse characters to life.
Universality: While personal experiences can add depth, imagination allows actors to tap into universal human emotions that resonate with a broader audience. This inclusivity expands the potential impact of their performances.
Finding Balance for Ethical Method Acting
Creating a Safe Environment: Acting teachers and directors should prioritize the emotional well-being of actors by fostering an atmosphere of trust, support, and open communication. Providing access to mental health resources can help actors navigate any emotional challenges that may arise during the process.
Encouraging Imagination: Alongside personal experiences, nurturing an actor’s imaginative abilities allows them to explore characters beyond their own lived experiences. This balance ensures a diverse range of performances while respecting an actor’s boundaries.
Conclusion
Method acting can be a powerful technique that enables actors to connect deeply with their characters, creating compelling performances that resonate with audiences. However, it is crucial to approach this technique ethically by prioritizing the psychological well-being of actors and ensuring clear boundaries and consent regarding the use of personal experiences. By striking a balance between personal experience and imagination, actors can create impactful performances while maintaining a safe and supportive environment within the realm of method acting.
