OF LOVE AND REVENGE: A GAME THEORETICAL STUDY OF MAJOR DECISIONS IN EUGENE O’NEILL’S DESIRE UNDER THE ELMS

Abstract

Eugene O’Neil’s Desire Under the Elms is a play, which has a plot thick with conflict, with every character having emotional and material stakes. Its deliberative nature makes it a rich ground for a game- theoretical analysis. This paper studies major decisions taken by the play's main characters that formulate the thrust of the action. Each choice made is seen to be a negotiation, either with other characters or with the situation at hand in order to achieve some end, often at the expense of others. The paper treats every major decision as a frustration game between two players. These games are examined according to Steven J. Bram’s Theory of Moves. Each player’s action is taken as a move, and it is seen to be countered by that of the other. This paper studies all possible courses of action that can be taken in each game and then sees which one yields to be most beneficial, and which one is taken by the relevant players. The study brings forth an otherwise forgone aspect of interpretation: rationalization of action. It is seen that not all choices taken are thoroughly calculated or premeditated; sometimes they are more emotionally charged. This game-theoretical analysis reveals the complete range of possible actions, providing a deeper insight into the characters by bringing to light all the variables they have dealt with, and how they react to them under different circumstances.