Shaffer, Peter: 1926 - 2016

Equus, 1973 - Before Reading (AI Created)

The play is mainly about psychology, religion, passion, and what it means to live intensely.
- 1. Know the Basic Premise
  The story centers on:
  - Alan Strang – a 17-year-old boy who has blinded six horses.
  - Martin Dysart – a psychiatrist trying to understand why Alan did it.
  The play follows Dysart's investigation into Alan's mind and motivations.
  Example: Imagine a doctor trying to solve a crime, but instead of asking "Who did it?", he asks:
  - "Why would someone who loves horses also destroy them?"
  That question drives the entire play.
- 2. Horses Are More Than Animals
  In Equus, horses symbolize several things at once:
  - Freedom
  - Power
  - Sexuality
  - Worship
  - Fear
  Alan develops an intense spiritual connection with horses, especially a horse-god he calls Equus.
  Example: Instead of seeing a horse as a pet, Alan sees it almost like a divine being watching and judging him.
  This symbolic meaning is much more important than the actual horses themselves.
- 3. Religion Is a Major Theme
  Alan grows up with conflicting influences:
  - His mother is deeply religious.
  - His father is skeptical and restrictive.
  These influences mix in Alan's imagination. Example: A traditional prayer might become, in Alan's mind, a prayer directed toward horses rather than God.
  As you read, notice how religious language and imagery appear throughout the play.
- 4. The Play Explores "Normality"
  One of the biggest questions is:
  - Is being "normal" always better?
  Dysart begins by trying to cure Alan, but he gradually wonders whether ordinary people live dull, passionless lives.
  Example: Suppose someone loves something so intensely that it gives their life meaning—but that same passion causes harm.
  Should society remove that passion?
  The play never gives an easy answer.
- 5. Sexuality Is Important
  The play contains mature themes involving:
  - Sexual awakening
  - Desire
  - Shame
  - Anxiety
  These themes are connected to Alan's relationship with horses and his psychological struggles.
  Example: Moments that seem to be about romance or attraction often become intertwined with Alan's religious feelings and his worship of Equus.
- 6. The Stage Is Highly Symbolic
  Many productions use actors wearing stylized horse masks rather than realistic horse costumes.
  Why?
  Shaffer wanted audiences to use their imagination and focus on the symbolic meaning of the horses.
  Example: Instead of a realistic stable, a stage might contain only a few props, lighting effects, and actors suggesting horses through movement.
- 7. Key Themes to Watch For
  Passion: Is intense passion a gift or a danger?
  Religion: What do humans choose to worship?
  Identity: How do we become who we are?
  Freedom: Can society accept people who are different?
  Psychiatry: Does treatment heal people or make them ordinary?
  Sexuality: How are desire and shame connected?
- 8. Reading Tip
  Don't read Equus primarily as a mystery about a crime. Read it as a debate between two people:
  - Alan, who experiences overwhelming passion.
  - Dysart, who lives a controlled, conventional life.
  By the end, the psychiatrist may be questioning himself as much as he questions Alan.
  That tension is what makes Equus one of the most discussed modern psychological dramas.