Time and truth are two pivotal, thought provoking motifs, continually allied and contrasted in Arcadia, providing philosophical depth. Harnessing these complex themes, along with many dramatic and literary techniques, stimulates enticing thought processes in the audience. This includes questioning the direction and impact of time and the importance of seeking truth and influence of emotion. Considering these aspects together prompts the audience to conclude the essential nature of truth in allowing the continuation of time.
Tom Stoppard challenges the Classical Unities of Drama by setting Arcadia within two time periods, almost two-hundred years apart, in the same room. As scenes alternate between periods, differences caused by the progression …show more content…
This is that “when we have found all the mysteries and lost all the meaning, we will be alone, on an empty shore.” In this negative exaggeration by Septimus, Stoppard declares that without a desire to learn and discover more throughout history, humankind would never have progressed or accomplished anything of value. It is the possibility that everyday new discoveries can be made, that is central to the human spirit. Valentine describes that “it’s the best possible time to be alive, when almost everything you thought you knew is wrong”, using emotive diction to instil this similar sense of excitement in the audience. This theme coincides with the allusions to The Second Law of Thermodynamics. Valentine claims that “we’re all going to end up at room temperature”. However, rather than referring to physical temperature, this is an allegory for the thirst for knowledge and truth. Arcadia uses heat as an extended metaphor for the energy inspiring individuals to discover new truths. Therefore, Stoppard describes how the continued attempts at understanding the sometimes impossible truths of the universe throughout history, is the most important aspect of time and truth to consider. Without the search for truth, equilibrium will be reached and human society will hence be insignificant, because “it’s wanting to know that makes us
Tom Stoppard challenges the Classical Unities of Drama by setting Arcadia within two time periods, almost two-hundred years apart, in the same room. As scenes alternate between periods, differences caused by the progression …show more content…
This is that “when we have found all the mysteries and lost all the meaning, we will be alone, on an empty shore.” In this negative exaggeration by Septimus, Stoppard declares that without a desire to learn and discover more throughout history, humankind would never have progressed or accomplished anything of value. It is the possibility that everyday new discoveries can be made, that is central to the human spirit. Valentine describes that “it’s the best possible time to be alive, when almost everything you thought you knew is wrong”, using emotive diction to instil this similar sense of excitement in the audience. This theme coincides with the allusions to The Second Law of Thermodynamics. Valentine claims that “we’re all going to end up at room temperature”. However, rather than referring to physical temperature, this is an allegory for the thirst for knowledge and truth. Arcadia uses heat as an extended metaphor for the energy inspiring individuals to discover new truths. Therefore, Stoppard describes how the continued attempts at understanding the sometimes impossible truths of the universe throughout history, is the most important aspect of time and truth to consider. Without the search for truth, equilibrium will be reached and human society will hence be insignificant, because “it’s wanting to know that makes us