pp3

Among the Noh plays you have read, select one that appeals to you the most and discuss why you are drawn to it above all the other works. You may wish to refer to the video illustrations of the excerpts of the plays that we saw in class, as well as the scripts to compose your answer.

I enjoyed in particular the Noh play //Izutsu// because I think the emotion is high and runs deep within the characters. The clips from //Izutsu// that we watched on the video in class were extremely poignant and somewhat eerie to see the priest realize that he has seen the subject of her story of strength and love. I think I am drawn to this plot in particular because the of the element of the passage time and the revelation of the lapse and the persistence of the woman to still care for and love her husband in the afterlife. I think that the image of the woman in her husband's costume and then her subsequent dramatic breakdown is extremely effective. I also find it refreshing that an East Asian drama supports the plausibility of true love (they fall in love young and are not kept apart by the conventions of society, but are instead allowed to marry the person each loves). I am also intrigued by the image of the woman applying her makeup in an empty home while, unbeknownst by her, she is peacefully teaching a lesson to her husband who looks on secretly. I also appreciate the imagery of the two characters playing around the well and continuing to centralize around the well as a parallel throughout the play. I think a well is a strong image that conjures up ideas of deep passion and determination. The symbolism was as effective as the text between the two lovers which was eloquent and poignant.

Source: //Izutsu// by Zeami

Word Count: 255