Theme 2: Paranoia and SuperstitionIn small groups, come up with a working definition of Paranoia and Superstition

Paranoia Superstition

Superstition

“The General root of superstition is that men observe when things hit, and not when they miss, and commit to memory the one, and pass over the other.” (Francis Bacon)

Ted: Rives Poetry

The following is humorous anecdote on our culture’s fascination with conspiracy theories.

4 am

Paranoia

Paranoia is an unfounded or exaggerated distrust of others, sometimes reaching

delusional proportions. Paranoid individuals constantly suspect the motives

of those around them, and believe that certain individuals, or people in general,

are "out to get them."

SuperstitionsAn irrational belief that an object, action,

or circumstance not logically related to a course of events influences its outcome.

Prime examples are the:

Guess the common superstition

Connotation vs. DenotationConnotation DenotationThe emotional

“attachments”that are placed on a word. These are individual to each Person’s prior knowledge asan audience.

The literal meaning of aword. It’s direct dictionarymeaning.

Examples:

Examples:

A black catholds the connotation of evil.

_______________________________Some time ago people believed that reflections were actually glimpses of the viewers soul.

Breaking a mirror = 7 years bad luck!

What are you supposed to do after spilling the salt!?

Throw a pinch over your shoulder!

THEATRE SUPERSTITIONS

Christine E. Wortham

THINK!What theatrical superstitions have you heard

of before?

“BREAK A LEG!”Outsmarting the SpritesPermanently creased trousers from bowingShakespeare: to break = to bendLincoln assassinationVaudevilleUnderstudiesAncient Greece: stomping in appreciationElizabethan Times: stomping chairsActor’s overconfidenceMilitary term for “taking a knee”Locked kneesWooden legs on curtains

ONSTAGE DO’S AND DON’TSDon’t Wear It!

◦Blue (unless you’re also wearing silver)◦Yellow (esp. in a tie, vest or hat)◦Green◦Real jewelry

Don’t Use It!◦Peacock feathers (anywhere in the theatre)◦Mirrors

Don’t Say It!◦The tag line (last line) of the play

BACKSTAGE DO’S AND DON’TSMakeup

◦Apply makeup with a rabbit’s foot◦Never clean your makeup box◦Never wear brand-new makeup on opening

night◦If you drop makeup powder, dance upon it

to bring luckCostumes

◦Never place shoes or hats on chairs/tables inside dressing rooms

◦Always exit dressing room left foot first

JUST DON’T DO IT (ONSTAGE OR OFF)!

Never say the theatre is closed.Never whistle.Absolutely no knitting!Never open a show on a Friday night.Never have 3 candles together.

“THE SCOTTISH PLAY” Never say “Macbeth” in a theatre, or even quote

the play. Actual Disasters

◦ Abraham Lincoln’s assassination◦ Charlton Heston, Orson Welles and Constantine

Stanislavski◦ 1849 New York riot

Where it Came From◦ Witchcraft – play flirts dangerously with the “Powers of

Evil”◦ Play is conducive to accidents

Dim lighting Stage combat Broadswords

◦ Quick and easy last-minute addition to a theatre’s season What to Do

◦ “Angels and ministers of grace defend us!”

“THE SCOTTISH PLAY”

Patrick Stewart speaks on the subject:◦http://youtu.be/K11gpDbOMx8

“ALLERGIES”Flowers

◦Before the play = unlucky◦After the play = lucky◦Never use real flowers on stage◦Closing night tradition

Cats◦Kicking them = bad luck◦Having one in the theatre = good luck◦Having one run across the stage during a

performance = bad luck

MORE!Good rehearsals = Bad performancesGood Luck

◦Stumbling Onstage Tripping over a dress hem

◦Throwing Coal◦Pinch

Unlucky Tunes◦I Dreamt That I Dwelt in Marble Halls◦The Dead March◦Three Blind Mice

ThreadCurtain Peeking

THEATRE SUPERSTITION INTERVIEW

http://www.videojug.com/interview/theatre-superstitions-2

Chain emails!!! Do you pass them on?

Irrational importance placed on a specific object , action or time and believing it has some influence on your life!

How does text portray the consequences of an individuals mistrust of others without evidence or justification?

Theme 2: Fear and Superstitions