The Poetics of Silence: Analyzing Unspoken Communication in Drama

Abstract

While traditionally understood as the absence of speech, silence in drama plays a significant role in conveying meaning, shaping character dynamics, and enriching theatrical experience. This paper examines the poetics of silence, exploring how playwrights utilize unspoken communication to reveal the complexities of human experience and evoke powerful emotions in audiences. Through close analysis of specific dramatic texts and performances, the paper demonstrates how silence serves as a nuanced language, communicating characters' inner thoughts, emotions, and subtexts.