The Marionette of Heinrich von Kleist: A Dancing Model. Issue 2 (4th May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vittori, Giulia
• Is Part Of: Dance chronicle. Volume 42:Issue 2(2019)
• Page Start: 217
• Page End: 243
• Publication Date: 2019-05-04
• Subjects: Marionette -- autopoiesis -- grace -- performatic dramaturgy -- Katie of Heilbronn -- Penthesilea; Dance -- Periodicals; Dancing; 792.805
• DOI: 10.1080/01472526.2019.1624485
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0147-2526

Abstract

Abstract: Heinrich von Kleist's conception of the marionette, as articulated in his renowned essay "The Puppet Theatre, " remains provocative today. With the marionette, I argue, Kleist drafts for the actor a theoretical model informed by grace. In Kleist's reconsideration of the process of performing, dance plays a significant part. Dance also leaves significant traces in Kleist's plays, particularly Penthesilea and Katie of Heilbronn, two complementary examples, I posit, in which performatic dramaturgy "choreographs" the marionette's behavior. Working across theater and dance, and mingling theory and practice, Kleist anticipates a contemporary vision of intermedial creation.