The Dance of Death: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Dance of Death: Analysis of Major Characters" delves into the intricate dynamics among key figures in a tense familial and social environment. Central to the narrative are Edgar, a tyrannical captain, and his wife Alice, a former actress yearning for freedom from his oppressive control. Edgar's disdainful nature isolates Alice both physically and emotionally, forcing her to seek connection through clandestine communication. Their cousin Curt, who has faced his own struggles, represents moral integrity and a counterpoint to Edgar's cruelty, even as he is drawn into the unfolding conflict.
The play also features Judith, Edgar and Alice’s daughter, who navigates her own romantic entanglements and ultimately defies her father's expectations by choosing love over duty. Allan, Curt's son, becomes a pawn in Edgar's manipulative schemes, further complicating the relationships at play. The presence of supporting characters, such as Jenny the maid and an elderly resident of the poorhouse, enhances the themes of isolation and entrapment. Through these character interactions, the narrative explores themes of power, love, and the struggle for autonomy within a stifling environment.
The Dance of Death: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: August Strindberg
First published: 1901 as Dödsdansen, första delen and Dödsdansen, andra delen (English translation 1912 as The Dance of Death I and The Dance of Death II)
Genre: Play
Locale: An island military fortress off Sweden
Plot: Psychological realism
Time: Late nineteenth century
Edgar, a captain of the coast artillery. He and his family live in a fortress on a removed island, physically and emotionally isolated from others. His marital tyranny makes his wife a prisoner and her life miserable. He continually battles for dominance, not only with her but also with everyone, because he is contemptuous of all others. Convinced of his own superiority, he refuses to buy food, pay his bills, or hire servants and pay them. Subsequent attacks of a severe illness convince him that there is life after death. Malicious by nature, he previously instigated Curt's divorce, which resulted in the loss of Curt's money and family, yet he clings to Curt during the most severe of his attacks. He threatens to divorce his wife to keep her under his power but resigns himself to being with her after learning that he has not long to live.
Alice, his wife, a former actress. She wants freedom from her domineering husband, who constantly humiliates her. Without servants or money, she does the best she can. Kept in isolation from even her children, Alice has learned secretly to communicate by telegraph to keep in contact with the world. Praying that her husband's illness will be fatal, she allows him to see her making romantic advances toward her cousin, Curt. After he threatens her with divorce, she enlists Curt to help her discredit her husband with charges of embezzlement. After Curt rebuffs her advances, she is relieved when the case is dropped. Hopeless, she stops dyeing her hair and resigns herself to her existence.
Curt, the master of quarantine and Alice's cousin. He introduced Edgar and Alice. He has survived divorce and bankruptcy but still believes in the essential nobility of humanity. Newly assigned to the island as subordinate to Edgar, Curt comforts him during his illness. Curt even forgives Edgar for plotting the divorce that ruined him. Curt manages to resist Alice's blandishments but attempts to aid her in discrediting Edgar, who despises him. Curt is the personal and moral antithesis to Edgar.
Jenny, a maid. She quits, leaving Alice to do her work.
Old woman, a resident of the poorhouse. Although she has no material possessions, she has good will.
The sentry, a soldier. He is seen throughout the entire play, pacing back and forth. His presence emphasizes the prisonlike atmosphere.
Edgar, who sets out to destroy Curt by taking away his son, belongings, and reputation. He takes Curt's ideas and writes articles claiming them as his own, gives Curt bad financial advice, and runs against Curt for public office. He even takes up a public subscription for Curt without his knowledge or permission. He buys Curt's possessions at public auction and schemes to send Curt's son, Allan, to a far-off garrison. Edgar believes his is the upper hand because the colonel wants to marry Edgar's daughter, Judith. When Edgar learns that Judith has refused the colonel in favor of Allan, he suffers a fatal attack.
Alice, who despises Edgar more than ever but is totally in his power. She attempts to use Judith to her own ends and encourages her to fall in love. After Edgar's death, she remembers her first love for him and all that made him as he was.
Curt, who manages to survive his ruin with dignity. He has, at last, been reunited with his son, only to have the boy taken over by Edgar, his captain. This is an insult he cannot forgive. On the captain's demise, Curt and Alice console each other with positive memories.
Judith, Edgar and Alice's daughter. Returned to the island after finishing school, Judith is secure in her future as the colonel's lady. Never in love, she enjoys tormenting her two suitors. When she realizes the intensity of her love for Allan, she turns her back on her father and the colonel and gives her entire trust to Allan.
Allan, Curt's son. Allan, who is in love with Judith, is used as a pawn by Edgar to hurt Curt. Inadvertently, he causes the captain's destruction.
The lieutenant, an officer, Allan's rival for Judith. The two become friends through their misery.