Exploring the Experimental and Shamanic Journey of Healing in Hughes’s Play Beauty and the Beast

Abstract

This study explores Ted Hughes' one act play "Beauty and the Beast" from the perspective of shamanism within the experimental theater. Drawing on experimental theater and ancient shamanic traditions, the play employs a range of symbolic and metaphorical devices to transport the audience into a liminal space where the boundaries between the physical and spiritual worlds are blurred. In the play, the character of the Beast represents the primal, instinctual forces of nature, while Beauty symbolizes the human capacity for empathy and compassion. Through their interaction, the play explores the tension between these opposing forces and ultimately suggests that true transformation can only be achieved through a synthesis of both. By adopting a shamanic approach to theater. The research highlights the ongoing relevance and power of shamanic traditions in modern theater, demonstrating how theater can be used not only as entertainment but also as a transformative tool for personal and societal growth.