ABSTRACT

Exploring Character Through Structural Metaphor will help performers discover new and valuable insights into the characters they play.

Grounded in a contemporary approach to understanding and applying the power of metaphor, it offers a practical guide for both actors and directors. This book introduces the idea of metaphor as a way of thinking rather than simply as clever comparison or figurative language. It demonstrates limitations of ways metaphor has traditionally been used in character development and presents a method for applying structural metaphor to discover rich, in-depth character insights. For directors, the model can serve as an option for guiding character analysis that is less individualistic and actor-specific and more wholistic and cast-inclusive, promoting stronger overall performance unity and production cohesion. In addition to offering a clear, followable guide for character analysis, the authors draw on personal experience to vividly demonstrate how applying this method for character analysis could impact performance and production.

This book will be a useful addition to an actor’s or director’s set of character development resources.

part Section I|33 pages

About metaphors

chapter 1|9 pages

How we usually understand metaphor

chapter 2|11 pages

Metaphor as a way of thinking

chapter 3|11 pages

Structural metaphor

part Section II|26 pages

Metaphor as a tool for character analysis

part Section III|29 pages

Applying the method