Anthropology of the body in the Iraqi theatrical show

Abstract

     The language of the anthropological body has various forms in the dramatic performance according to its types: social anthropology, natural anthropology, and cultural anthropology. Theatre in itself is considered a physical art because it is centered around the actor and a physical process which is the embodiment. Hence, it is necessary to deal with the anthropological body as a material, a base or a tool according to the various dramatic theories such as  absurd, poor theatre, third theatre …etc. It is important to study the varieties of the body in those western performances and their reflections on the Iraqi dramatic performances which employ those trends and methods.

     The research includes four sections: the first contains the methodological framework and the problem which is localized in the following enquiry: How has the Iraqi director employed the body anthropologically in the dramatic performance? The importance of the research is revealed through the focus on the body culture and how to be equipped with the whole cultural, spiritual, and human aspects. The aim of the research is to identify the anthropological body in the Iraqi dramatic performance. The limits of the research are restricted to the dramatic performances presented in the College of Fine Arts / University of Babylon for the period (2007-2012). The section is finalized with the definition of the basic terms mentioned in the title of the research.

     The second section, the theoretical framework, includes two parts: the first deals with the concept of anthropology whereas the second involves the relationship between theatre and anthropology. The section ends with the results gained from the theoretical framework.

     The third section includes the procedures of the research which are the society, the sample, the tool, and the method of the research. Two dramatic performances have been chosen to be analyzed to identify the anthropological body in the Iraqi dramatic performance.

     The fourth section includes the results which the researcher has come up with; the most important of which are:

1. The body movements form a primary description if it is related to the theme of "Gilgamesh" which immortalizes the body.

 2.  The anthropological body acquires an expressionistic approach through the image of the terrified, naked man and his transformations and transmissions from the up to the down world. The section ends with the bibliography and abstract in English