Abstract
Although eavesdropping normally is considered inappropriate, in classical literature like Sanskrit it is interestingly acceptable, which leads to the very objective of this article, i.e. to study the function of eavesdropping in Sanskrit literature, Abhijñānaśākuntala or Śakuntalā the well-known Sanskrit play as the case study and the narratology as research methodology. The research question is why the author adds the eavesdropping in the play. The findings are as follows: the play Śakuntalā has been narrated in many versions. Eavesdropping, which is absent in the former ones, is added in the play by Kālidāsa in many facets. Eavesdropping scenes undeniably play a pivotal role in the play. It introduces the main characters in the first act, builds the rising action in the third, which makes the audience feel superior to the play because they know the solution of the problem before the characters. Furthermore, in the sixth act eavesdropping by the nymph who is the friend of Śakuntalā’s mother is not only emotionally effective, but also reminds the audience be aware of the divine situation of the play and not to forget that there is something beyond the human sense above.
Author Information
Nawin Bosakaranat, Chiang Mai University, Thailand
Paper Information
Conference: KAMC2024
Stream: Literature
This paper is part of the KAMC2024 Conference Proceedings (View)
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To cite this article:
Bosakaranat N. (2024) Eavesdropping: Its Significance to Narrative in “Abhijñānaśākuntala” ISSN: 2436-0503 – The Kyoto Conference on Arts, Media & Culture 2024: Official Conference Proceedings (pp. 207-212) https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2436-0503.2024.20
To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2436-0503.2024.20
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