Act 1

• Engels
• Further Education (Key Stage 5)

Lesson objectives 

Exploration stage directions and stage set 

Ideas introduced in the opening pages 

Introduction and characterisation Claire Zachanassian

Look at the cover design. 

What themes or concepts emerge from this consideration? 

Concepts HL Literature 

Some concepts addressed in this text:

justice, revenge, corruption, greed and moral compromise

Set design Milan Butina in Ljubljana 1957/58

Sketch out the stage using the detailed stage directions given by Dürrenmatt. 

• Exposition
  
• Impact of stage directions? Why such repeated emphasis on the derelict state of Güllen?
• Literal and Metaphorical Bankruptcy?
  
• Visual and Auditory imagery?
  
• Five unnamed men?

Items to think about - discuss 

The unamed men: 

Reminiscient of the Greek Chorus

Representing the voice of the citizens

Provide information  or commentary on events of the play

Read to the end of page 9

At your tables, discuss and make notes:

1. What does the repeated reference to Claire as “the millionairess” imply about the townspeople?
2. What are your impressions of Alfred Ill? What adjectives come to mind?
3. How would you describe the character of the Mayor?
4. Discuss the theme: Artifice and Pretence
- Artifice = clever or cunning devices or methods used to deceive
- Pretence = make-believe; giving a false appearance
5. Choose three lines of dialogue or stage direction up to pg 9 which capture these concepts. 

Act 1 exposition 

Lesson objectives 

Delayed introduction and characterisation Claire Zachanassian

Greek mythology = Teacher 

Reading pages 17 - 26

Close analysis pages 28 - 30 

How would you design the appearance of Claire Zachanassian?

After you have decided, look online to find some designers decisions. 

• Delayed entrance - what is the effect? 
  
• Evokes curiosity about the character; playwright has the freedom to meet or subvert expectations.
  
• Were your expectations about Claire met or subverted?
  
• Claire’s entry is marked by sudden and unexpected sights and sounds. What is the effect of this? 
  
• This foreshadows the distruptive and shocking impact she will have on the town. Consider stagecraft - the technical aspects of theatrical production, which include scenic design, stage machinery, lighting, sound, costume design, and makeup. (source: Britannica.com) 
  
• Consider the implications of the title of this play: The Visit
  
• We will read: Pg 16 – 20: 
• Take notes on how the other characters behave around and towards Claire
  

Claire Zachanassian

pg 21 comparisons of Claire Zachanassian to Greek mythical figures: 

Clotho was one of the Three Fates in Greek mythology, her sisters being Lachesis and Atropos. She was the one who spun the thread of the lives of all mortals, as well as the one to decide when a person would be born or killed, along with other similarly important decisions. 

Source adapted: https://www.greekmythology.com/Other_Gods/Minor_Gods/Clotho/clotho.htm

Laïs - Laïs of Corinth - said to be the most beautiful woman of her time in Greece (425BC) that no man could resist. She also held the nickname "Axine" ("axehead"), for the sharpness of her cruelty.

Source adapted: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lais_of_Corinth

Greek mythology allusion - Teacher 

Discuss on your table => add to your notes=> share with the class

Focus of pages 22 - 33

How do these aspects add to the comical absurdity: 

Use and impact of  stage directions

Moments of strange or surreal behaviour by characters on stage and the effect created (till end of pg 33)

Audience impression of Claire from these pages? Focus on her words and actions as well as what other characters say about her.

Comical build-up of absurdities 

Mayor 

Claire Zachanassian 

Doctor

Alfred Ill 

Roby & Toby 

The Pair (2 readers in unison) Koby and Loby

Policeman 

Pastor

Teacher 

 

Reading pages 17 - 22 

First man 

Second man

Third man

Fourth man

Alfred Ill

Claire Zachanassian 

The Pair (2 readers in unison) Koby and Loby

We will read the analepsis (flashback) scene between Alfred Ill and Claire in  Konradsweil woods pgs 22 - 26. 

 

Closer analysis pgs 22 - 26

1. What is the objective of Alfred Ill in this section? What does he want?

2. How do you know? Give evidence 

3. What is the objective of Claire Zachanassian? What does she want?

4. How do you know? Give evidence. 

5. Where is the scene set? 

6. How do you know? Give evidence.

7. What is Alfred Ill's status in Güllen? What is his status in this scene? 

8. What is Claire Zachanassian's status in Güllen? What is her status in this scene? 

Comical build-up of absurdities 

                                                  The Major's speech

1. What is the objective of the Mayor in this section? What does he want?

2. How do you know? Give evidence 

3. Where is the scene set? 

4. How do you know? Give evidence.

5.  What is The Mayor's  status in Güllen? What is his status in this scene? 

 

Closer analysis pgs 28 - 30

Using the scene in the Konradsweil woods: 

Write a structured response using the following guiding question to focus your answer: 

In this extract, what message is Dürrenmatt conveying about society and/or human nature and how does he communicate that idea? 

Closer analysis 

Although the possession of excessive wealth appears to lead to the corruption of morality, there seems to be the suggestion that poverty can have the same effect. 
How do you imagine the “(Deathly silence.)” p. 31 to be portrayed on stage? How would it be different from merely “Silence”?
Consider the various tones with which the Mayor and Claire could have spoken the last two lines of this section: 





Whom do you agree with: the Mayor or Claire?
What do you think would be the opinion of the audience ?

Theme: The corrupting influence of money 

CLAIRE ZACHANASSIAN: I will tell you the condition. I will give you a billion, and with that billion I will buy myself justice. 

Deathly silence.

MAYOR: What exactly do you mean by that, Madam? 

CLAIRE ZACHANASSIAN: I mean what I said. 

MAYOR: But justice can't be bought! 

• Butler was once the Chief Justice
  
•  “Everything can be bought” p. 31 
  
• Research: REVENGE TRAGEDY
  
• Claire’s worldview: Justice = Revenge
  
• “The Court’s verdict turned me into [a prostitute].” p. 
  
• It is not only Ill, but the whole system that has failed Claire.
  
• Mayor’s response & Claire’s reaction
  
• Global Issues - formulate a global issue that is illustrated in this part of Act 1. 
  

The 'courtroom' scene