Serjeant Musgrave’s DancePacifism and Nonviolence: A Study in John Arden’s Play Dr. Abdulla A. Bukeir*

Abstract

   This research attempts to study the two doctrines of pacifism and nonviolence as presented in John Arden’s play Serjeant Musgrave’s Dance. These two doctrines have become prerequisites nowadays due to the bitter suffering of humanity in a world dominated by militarism and terrorism. 

    John Arden wrote this play at the end of the fifties of the last century to express how man aspires for peace and security. The play, thus, argues that pacifism and nonviolence are lofty human doctrines in man’s life. Though they are not easy to be fulfilled idealistically or even closer to idealism as it is seen from the central character’s belief or even his method and the disastrous end he meets; yet man has to strife hard to come closer to them.

Key words: Militarism, Nonviolence and Pacifism