Marriage and Relationships The play centers on the turbulent marriage of Martha and George, an older couple who engage in vicious verbal and emotional games with each other. It portrays marriage as a battlefield and dissects the darker aspects of relationships, such as resentment, mind games, and the inability to have children.

Illusion vs. Reality A major theme is the contrast between illusion and reality. Martha and George have created an imaginary son to cope with their inability to have children. Their made-up stories and games represent their retreat into illusion to avoid facing the harsh realities of their marriage.

Societal Expectations The play challenges the 1950s idealized notion of the perfect American family. It exposes the emptiness and dysfunction that can lie beneath the facade of a respectable, middle-class couple. Albee critiques the pressure to conform to societal expectations of marriage and family life.

Competition and Power Dynamics Martha and George's relationship is characterized by a constant struggle for power and one-upmanship. Their games and verbal attacks are a means to assert dominance over each other and their guests Nick and Honey.

By exploring these themes through the lens of Martha and George's marriage, "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" offers a scornful commentary on the unpleasant side of American suburban life in the 1960s.

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The general perception of "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" is that it is a boozy portrayal of marital discord and dysfunction. The 1966 film adaptation starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton popularized this view, overshadowing the play's deeper commentary on American society and the tensions between illusion and reality.

However, Albee intended the play to be thought-provoking rather than merely entertaining. He used the play to probe and challenge American ideals of marriage, the mythos of the American dream, and social values. Albee presents mental and emotional regression as a consequence of living within illusions, and suggests that confronting reality with candour and authenticity is necessary for emotional maturity.

The play explores themes such as the phoniness of public and private images in marriage, the desire for success and its impact on self-esteem, and the influence of parents and children on each other. Albee also uses the play to comment on societal decay, with characters like George and Martha symbolically representing a fallen civilization.

While the play is often remembered for its intense portrayal of marital discord, various stage productions have highlighted its multifaceted nature and enduring impact. As the play continues to be revived in today's era of distorted truths and illusions, its relevance as a poignant reminder of the perils of living detached from reality becomes increasingly apparent.

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