Foreword
Human reason has the peculiar fate in one species of its cognitions that it is burdened with questions which it cannot dismiss, but which it also cannot answer, since they transcend every capacity [Vermögen] of human reason.
—Immanuel Kant1
Michael Y. Bennett’s book presents the compelling question regarding the “problem” of viewing performance: how can two or more audience members perceive a play yet derive different understanding? The same play, at the same time, with the same actors, set, dialogue, lights, and costumes can produce alternative evaluations. Simply put, one audience member asks another: “what does the play mean?” and the response can come as a complete surprise. The play’s ...
