Mięsność człowieka‑zwierzęcia – na wybranych przykładach spektakli teatralnych
Meatiness of Human‑Animal – On Selected Examples of Theatrical Performances

Author(s): Monika Błaszczak
Subject(s): Language and Literature Studies
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Śląskiego
Keywords: meatiness; animalit;, anthropomorphism; zoomorphism; post‑humanism
Summary/Abstract: Reflections on the mutual relations of human beings and animals presented in this paper refer to theatrical performances which are dominated by post‑humanistic way of thinking, according to which human beings are no longer the superior entities on top of or even above the world of nature, but they are just one of its components. Creators of these performances are asking tough questions about the border between human being and animal, especially about the subjectivity of animal in the context of human subjectivity. Human meatiness, understood as human involvement in their own corporeality, animality, zoe is a theme which is repeatedly used by creators of culture. Human beings are subject to zoomorphism, becoming similar to animals in their behaviour, sounds made by them, emotions, and they are treated as meat as well – food for other humans‑animals. One of the interesting approaches to this subject is the Uczta [Feast] performance by Poznan “Republika Usta Usta” theatrical group. But the animal is also subject to anthropomorphisation, and this procedure becomes not a sublimation and subjectification but, paradoxically, humiliation and objectification, as is the case in the Folwark [Farm] performance by the “Srebrna Góra” Theatre. Where is the border between human being and animal? What is the subjectivity of animal in the context of human subjectivity? This paper is an attempt to answer these questions.

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