In six pages this paper examines the theme of infidelity in the dark humored play The Real Thing by Tom Stoppard. Six sources are cited in the bibliography.
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one of the productions primary players, Stoppards play-within-a-play delves deeply into the human psyche and tries to determine just how much of her life is a reflection of her acting
career and how much is a truly legitimate representation of how she so callously approaches love and relationships. "Theres a sadness just beneath the surface of Henry and Annies
relationship that glows like embers. Pain and humor are swept along with Stoppards ever brilliant dialogue" (Plemmons, 2000, p. PG). Historically, a
healthy carnal appetite was not only frowned upon, but it was discouraged; rather, sex was not something to enjoy but was merely a means by which to procreate. The
long-standing interpretations that intimate relations were dirty and only the pleasures of whores and prostitutes were to be abided by any woman who called herself civilized. In direct contrast,
Annie utilizes her manipulative infidelities to achieve her personal desires without casting a single thought toward how damaging her actions are to those around her. Utilizing Henry, Brodie and
Billys affections for her own gain, one can readily surmise that Annies self-centered ways prove to be her ultimate downfall as a civilized human being. Annies selfish behavior can be
defined as individualism at its worst, inasmuch as she does not take into account the feelings of those she uses, both sexually and emotionally. Easily recognizable are the effects
of individualistic tendencies within society and the fact that people like Annie are far too concerned with their own well being to fend for those who stand in their way.
While one might understand the motivation behind such behavior and realize the basis for its existence - such as feeling constrained by the social dictates of monogamy - it