The Role Of Religion In Peter Shaffer's Equus

In today’s modern society, children often grow up being taught to exercise the religion that their parents claim themselves to be. While growing up, children are not exposed to different types of religion, therefore they are unable to identify themselves with a religion that they choose or fits them the most. Instead, these individuals are being forced to adopt the religion of their parents, and they blindly accept it. Most, not all, of children do not go out and explore all the different religion options there are out there in the world. It would make perfect sense to identify oneself with a religion that meets all of one’s standards, but this is not always the case. Some parents are very strict with what religion their children will be, and force their own religion down on their kids, restricting religious freedom. This act is present in Peter Shaffer’s story Equus. Alan Strang, the main character and focus of the story, grows up with parents of opposing religions, and each parent is trying hard to convert and convince Alan to be …show more content…
But, what makes religion even more essential to the development and understanding of the play is that each key character has their own religion that is different from the others’. Frank and Dora compete to raise Alan according to their own religion, while Alan is in the process of creating his own, worshiping something he is fascinated by. Alan’s creation his his religion makes Dysart realize his emptiness inside and often resorts to thinking about Ancient Greece and worshiping Greek Gods. He wants to expand his idea of religion, share it with someone, and travel to Greece. Religion also shapes Alan and Jill’s relationship. The religion Alan has created doesn’t allow him to prohibit Jill’s behavior and have sex before marriage. Religion and sex go together in this play, as they shape the lives and beliefs of all the major characters in the