The Sanskrit drama : $b in its origin, development, theory and practiceKeith, Arthur Berriedale
History
The Sanskrit drama : $b in its origin, development, theory and practice
Keith, Arthur Berriedale
Sanskrit drama -- History and criticism
As if the enumeration of the general characteristics of the hero were
insufficient, a set of eight special excellencies [644] is enumerated
separately as springing from his character (sāttvika). These are
brilliance (çobhā), including compassion for inferiors, emulation with
superiors, heroism, and cleverness; vivacity (vilāsa), including a firm
step and glance and a laughing voice; grace (mādhurya) manifested in
the display of but slight change of demeanour in trying circumstances;
impassivity (gāmbhīrya) or superiority to emotion; steadfastness
(sthairya) in accomplishing his object despite obstacles; the sense of
honour (tejas) which will punish insult even at the cost of life
itself; lightheartedness as grace of deportment; and nobility (audārya)
exhibited in sacrifice for the sake of the good.
The enemy of the hero (pratināyaka) [645] is self-controlled and
vehement (dhīroddhata); but he is also avaricious, stubborn, criminal,
and vicious; such are Rāvaṇa and Duryodhana as contrasted with Rāma and
Yudhiṣṭhira. On the other hand, the hero of the episode, the companion
(pīṭhamarda) [646] of the hero, is to possess, but in a less degree,
the qualities of the hero; he is to be intelligent, ever in attendance
on the hero, and devoted to his interests, as are Makaranda in the
Mālatīmādhava and Sugrīva in the dramas based on the Rāma legend. The
term, however, is unknown to these plays, while in the Mālavikāgnimitra
the nun Kauçikī is styled a Pīṭhamardikā, and serves as a trusted
go-between. The theory here seems to have stereotyped a relationship
commoner in an older type of drama.
The heroine, Nāyikā, [647] plays a part in the economy of the drama
similar to that of the hero, and not of less importance. The types of
heroine depend primarily on her relation to the hero; she may be his
wife (svā, svīyā) or belong to another (anyā, anyastrī) or be a
hetaera. The hero’s wife must be upright and of good character, but she
may be inexperienced (mugdhā), partly experienced (madhyā), or fully
experienced and bold (pragalbhā). The inexperienced wife is shy in her
love and gentle in her anger with her spouse’s infidelities. The partly
experienced is full of the love of youth, and even faints in her
passion; when angry, if self-controlled, she chides her husband with
double entendres; if but partly controlled, she allows her tears to aid
her reproaches; if uncontrolled, she adds harsh words. The bold wife is
frantically in love, fainting at the first embrace; when angry, if
self-controlled, she adopts an attitude of haughty reserve and
indifference to the pleasures of life; if lacking in self-control, she
uses threats and blows; if partly self-controlled, she employs the
weapons of raillery and equivoke. A further division is possible, for
each of these three kinds of heroine may be subdivided according as the
lady is the earlier or later of the loves of the husband.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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