The Gift of the Gorgon

This play is climactic, melodramatic and extreme. It is quite like an ongoing debate between revenge, the view adopted by the ancient Greeks, and forgiveness, the modern, more civilised way of thinking. The Gift of the Gorgon's storyline revolves around a contemporary playwright, Edward Damson, and his wife, Helen. Their unwavering, fierce beliefs in each of vengeance and forgiveness respectively are the root of the conflict between them. In turn, they cause the reader to contemplate their own personal stance concerning such issues as retribution, terrorism and justice. The play was composed after the IRA bombings in London, and is a commentary on whether or not there is justice in retaliating towards those who us cause harm. This particular aspect is demonstrated using plays within the play and references to ancient Greek mythology, the Byzantine Empress Irene and Oliver Cromwell. An example of this is the killing of Agememnon by Clytemnestra, avenging her daughter, Iphigenia's, death. The mythological characters Perseus and Athena are also an important part of the play, which may explain the origin of the play's title. The words translate well onto the page and the dialogue is realistic and inspiring. Relevant, witty and captivating, the play is an emotional rollercoaster ride that lingers in the reader's mind for a long, long time.

I saw this play many years ago when it first opened in London & was completely blown away by it (didn't hurt to have 2 fabulous actors playing the leads - Judi Dench for one). I subsequently bought the book & it reads just as well. I am only sorry that because of difficulties with Actors equity it hasn't yet been performed in New York. The themes of love and revenge are dealt with in ways both tender and terrible. It gets you in the gut.

During the last two years I have been reading several of Peter Shaffer's plays - and I find all of them except "Shrivings" brilliant. "The Gift of the Gorgon" is a typical Shaffer work because it is a quite audacious literary and theatrical experiment; different characters from different historical epochs act simultanously on the stage - and to stunning effect. The theme Shaffer wants to discuss in his poetically exquisite language is the question of revenge: Is it right or wrong - or both? I can only say that is one of the greatest dramas I have read - a tragedy in the classical sense but highly relevant for our time - and everyone who wishes to get acquainted with one the greatest playwrights of any time should buy it - and read it!