The issue of morality in acting
Since the 17th century, occurs a revolution in acting and thereafter women, for the first time, can play on stage. In the course of time, a generally accepted opinion about the immorality of acting changes and today, the actor’s profession is one of the most prestigious and respected in the world.
Why has arisen a radical change of priorities? Acting arises in Ancient times, the period of the androcracy, where women were not allowed much, including acting. (Childs). This tendency continued in the Middle Ages, but the actors were mostly uneducated jesters, and the plays were quite primitive and sometimes indecent. Therefore, occurred a generally accepted opinion about the immorality of acting, thus, it was unacceptable for a woman, who was supposed to be a mother and family keeper, to play on the stage. In the Age of Enlightenment happened the scientific and cultural revolution that has led to the fact that women, for the first time, were allowed to act in the theater. (Sites.google.com). In the course of time and owing to the progress, acting changes within. Now, this is not a medieval satire or buffoonery, now acting is an art. In addition, it was abolished any gender inequalities, so nowadays a talent of women and men is valued equally. To date, the profession of actor requires also the various kinds of knowledge and skills. Actors are the most talented, progressive and highly educated people. In consequence of that, they become role models for ordinary people, they inspire them. Today, the profession of the actor, along with the singer and writer, is one of the most respected and prestigious professions in the world. (Forbes.com). An example is a famous American actress Meryl Streep, who made one of the most brilliant careers in Hollywood. She is, undoubtedly, a very talented actress. Despite the fact that Meryl Streep had a great talent, that did not stop her from graduating. The star of the film “The Iron Lady”, and a three-time Academy Award winner received a master’s degree in Fine Arts at the Yale School of Drama in 1975, and in 1983 the school awarded her an honorary doctorate. Streep has used her education to build an incredibly successful career and frequently she shares her knowledge and experience with students at her alma mater. (Biography.com).
Thus, the actor becomes an example for others to follow, in this case, any immoral behavior must be avoided. But this rule not always works in practice. There are many talented actors whose behavior in life cannot be called an example of morality. That is a striking example of David Duchovny. This actor is one of the most highly educated actors. Before chasing monsters in the “X-Files” or playing in “Californication”, David Duchovny graduated from one of the universities of the Ivy League. He received a bachelor’s degree at Princeton University, and then a master’s degree in English Literature from Yale University. Teachers believed David Duchovny to be a very gifted student, especially in writing prose and poetry. He even received accolades for his work. While studying at the university, he often traveled to New York on the weekend to attend acting classes for auditions. Duchovny got a place in the doctoral program at Yale University, but he had declined it, preferring the career of a professional actor. At the same time, the whole world watched as the 48-year-old actor, after a number of torrid love affairs, resorted for help to a rehabilitation center for medical treatment of sex addiction. Duchovny suffered a very unusual psychological form of the addiction, he could not cope with the problem himself. Sex addiction negatively influenced his personal life and happiness of his family. (NPR.org).
Thereby, a generally accepted opinion about the immorality of acting has changed over time. In our time, the acting is a prestigious and respected profession, and the actors are people of high education, who serve as moral role models. But at all times, there are people who are not always able to cope with problems, thus, they cannot always be an example for others.
Works Cited
Childs, Melisha. “Acting And Greek Theatre: Honoring Dionysus – Ancient History Et Cetera”. Ancient History et cetera. N.p., 2015. Web. 26 Feb. 2016.
Sites.google.com,. “Theatre - Age Of The Enlightenment The Arts”. N.p., 2016. Web. 26 Feb. 2016.
Forbes.com,. “Forbes Welcome”. N.p., 2016. Web. 26 Feb. 2016.
Biography.com,. “Meryl Streep”. N.p., 2016. Web. 26 Feb. 2016.
NPR.org,. “From The Ivy League To “The X-Files”: David Duchovny’s Big Break”. N.p., 2015. Web. 26 Feb. 2016.
