The theme of death in the symbolist theatre

This thesis focuses on the relationship between the theme of death and the symbolist theatre genre, which produces remarkable works in Turkish theatre. Questions, fears and feelings of uncertainty created by the idea of death in the individual; the representation of this theme requires specific choices in both form and content. Symbolic theater allows the theme of death to be represented in theatre, with the use of language based on associations, communication and action being replaced by stasis and introspection on stage, and the past narrative and existential inquiries triggered by the idea of death becoming dominant in the text and staging. This study examines the functional role of the "mysterious guest" character, which is drawn similarly in many symbolist theater texts that choose death as the central theme. It is possible to say that the relationship between theme and genre reveals itself most in the presence of this character. While the theme of death produces a common narrative and questions in the plays, some changes occur within the genre. While Ahmet Muhip Dıranas's Gölgeler and Sabahattin Kudret Aksal's Evin Üstündeki Bulut initiate an inquiry into the individual's own death and life; In Sevim Burak's Sahibinin Sesi the same genre and theme commonality brings ideological confrontations to the stage. Examining the "mysterious character", which functions like a leitmotif in plays, carries the burden of representation of the theme and enriches the narrative, will enable us to follow and make sense of the changes within the genre.