The Status of Language in Howard Barker’s Theatrical World

Abstract

Howard Barker as postmodern British dramatist pays great attention to the freedom of expression and writing; he defies political and ideological censorship on British theater. Freedom of expression is well reflected in all his plays since the 1980s. He is well-known for his point of view that theater should not be used to deliver any moral, political, or ideological message, it should be left for the audience for interpretation. The composition and style of language are features of Barker’s plays that overflow with richness and diversity This paper discusses the theatrical language of Howard Barker and that his language of theater is poetic. Barker considers and explores language to be at the center of his theatrical profession and makes it better suit the new dramatic form in the British theater. In doing so, he makes language to express the complexity of modern man in a better way. He pays much attention to the style of his theatrical language and the words that come out of his character’s mouth. The ultimate goal of this paper is to show that Barker is deliberate and conscious in his use of the poetic language; he adopts a figurative language and other poetic devices. His language includes diversity of challenging ideas and provides no clarification and simplicity or deceptive of any message. His characters speak freely to the extent that social classes are not distinguished within the scope of his language of theater.