《戀馬狂》中的燈光診斷

Abstract

本論文以彼得‧薛佛《戀馬狂》劇本中的舞台燈光（包含黑暗），來探討其如何詮釋該劇本的中心思想。在劇中，不同型態的燈光及黑暗有其不同的象徵。劇作家藉由六種不同型態的燈光及燈光轉換，描繪出各角色的心理狀態，以及對「正常」產生質疑的一連串過程。暖光主要與海希瑟有所連結，它營造出熟悉感及安全感，象徵「正常」的普遍定義跟社會規範。昏暗的燈光則創造出陰鬱的氣氛，象徵艾倫與馬匹奈格特間曖昧不明的情感，以及朵拉對自身情況產生的懷疑及混亂。當冷光照進舞台時，代表「正常」的普遍定義，被證明是有缺陷的，也象徵了戴瑟跟艾倫幻想的破滅。黑暗不僅在舞台上呈現，也被用來象徵角色的絕望，例如戴瑟。聚光燈的光強調了艾倫對馬不尋常的情感，而光束顯現出艾倫對馬既神聖又恐懼的心態。因此，本論文主張，《戀馬狂》中不同型態的燈光、黑暗及燈光轉換是用來描繪角色心理狀態，以及闡述劇本主題不可或缺的要素。

This thesis focuses on how lightings, including darkness, manifest the motif of Peter Shaffer’s Equus. In the play, different forms of lights and darkness have different symbolisms. Shaffer uses six different forms of lights and lighting changes to depict the psyche of the characters to show the sequence of process of questioning “normality.” The warm light, which is mainly associated with Hesther, creates a sense of familiarity and security and symbolizes the general criterion of normality and social norms. The dim light creates a melancholy atmosphere, which symbolizes Alan’s obscure relationship with Nugget and Dora’s doubts and confusion of her situation. The cold light comes in when the general criterion of normality is proved problematic in a way, and it symbolizes the disillusion of Dysart and Alan. The darkness is both presented on stage and used metaphorically to show the dark side and desperation of characters like Dysart. The spotlight intensifies Alan’s abnormal passion for the horses while cones of light manifest Alan’s divine and dreadful attitude toward the horses. Therefore, I argue that different forms of lights, darkness and changes of lights in Equus are the vital elements to depict the psyche of the characters and to manifest the themes of the play.