(855) 4-ESSAYS

Type a new keyword(s) and press Enter to search

Can't Pay, Won't Pay by Dario Fo


            Dario Fo employs dramatic conventions in is play "Cant Pay, Wont Pay," achieving certain goals within the performance. The play, written in the 1974, is a comedy exploring the playwright's contextual concerns with consumerism and other social issues prevalent in the 1970's. Fo holds two key objectives within his play; to engage and entertain the audience and to act as a spokesman exploring contemporary concerns present in society. He employs dramatic techniques such as farce, satire, tension and the breaking down of the fourth wall to address contextual concerns regarding political, economic and social issues. "Can't Pay, Won't Pay" explores and expresses the contextual concerns of Dario Fo and is essentially a response to the events of the 1970's. The play explores the new form of civil disobedience in regards to the political, social and economic structure of society. .
             Individual's began to protest against the inequities and injustices of society and refused to pay for the rising food, transportation and electricity prices which were caused by the economic crises in the 1970's. Fo explores a range of contemporary issues on stage and uses theater as a median to voice his concerns. Fo attacks the notion of religion and the power of the Pope, he also highlights the issue of the state rising food prices and presents the clash of values and conflict between men and women in society. .
             Fo also reflects a range of political concerns within the play such as class struggle, the incompetence of the police system and refers to the notion of state power in regards to the black market, workers and protests. Fo used theater to enable him to be a spokesman and voice his concerns, views and opinions in an entertaining and engaging manner. He presented his plays to the people of the working class, not the traditional theater audiences, and each performance was followed by an open discussion among audience members.


Essays Related to Can't Pay, Won't Pay by Dario Fo


Got a writing question? Ask our professional writer!
Submit My Question