Equus Lesson Plan

Consider the hypnotism in Scene 19. How do the stage directions alter our perspective? How do they affect the storytelling or the tone?

Have the students identify the changes in the stage directions, in particular the lighting shift and the alteration of the sound. This seems to be a moment in which we move further into Dysart's mind. The sound shifting into the tape implies that this moment is not occurring presently, but is in fact a memory. It also resembles the ticking of a clock.

It should be noted that only Dysart possesses this power, and these changes happen at the moment he chooses to go outside the action and address the audience directly.

When Alan rides...