Pygmaliaon Myth

            How does the composer you have studied, appropriate this myth to reflect the context of the time in which they were composed? Analyse the ways each text, through its language, form and values, reflects the culture in which it was composed.
             The myth of Pygmalion describes the creation of Pygmalion's desired woman, Galatea. He created his perfect woman out of ivory and lavished her with gifts. Pygmalion prayed for her to come to life and the Gods granted his wish. The main elements of the myth are creation, the relationship between creator and creation, man, woman and love. These elements are strongly echoes in the play Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw and the modern film Pretty Woman.
             George Bernard Shaw extended the simple ideas of the myth through his 1912 play, Pygmalion. He explored important issues of the time in which he lived and his play reflects values and attitudes of that society. Society was very much focused on social status and class segregation. He criticises the superficiality of society and examines the relationship between men and women. Shaw was a member of the Fabian Society, which believed in social equality, and the play echoes many of his personal beliefs. His main focus in the play is to question and challenge the validity and justification of class segregations. The play opens in Covent Garden, a place where all levels of society visit. This allows Shaw to examine different characters from each social class through Higgin's observations. Higgins and Pickering represent the educated middle class; Eliza and her father embody the lower class, the working poor. Alfred Doolittle is a member of the undeserving poor' and makes two very important speeches in the play, which comment on class segregation and morality. .
             The play places a strong emphasis on language as it was a great class divider in society. Language gave people power and it distinguished people of different classes.