CONSPIRACY OF FUN: BREAKING DRAMATIC ILLUSION IN ROMAN COMEDY

Abstract

1 The remarkable phenomenon of dramatic illusion One of the most remarkable phenomena in dramatic performances is the way in which adults get involved in the events on the stage, to the extent of going through agonies of suspense, fear and pity while knowing full well that these events are pure make-believe.1 It is even more remarkable that this capacity for living in two worlds simultaneously-one real, one imaginary-was accepted as a commonplace for so many centuries. Only recently did drama theorists and psychologists start doing research on the complex problem of spectators'/viewers' emotional reaction to art and literature,2 thereby casting some light on the intricate question of the extent to which spectators/viewers become immersed in the illusionary world of the stage/screen and identify with the characters.