Identity from a Theatrical Perspective

The present paper aims to revisit the definitions given to identity from the perspective of social sciences and philosophy in order to eliminate the variables and extract the constants that might form the basis of a conceptual tool which can be used from a theatrical perspective. The analysis of the notion of identity is based on the idea that it is not synonymous with the notions of self, ego or soul. The fact that identity, from the perspective of psychology, may be a result of the oscillation between interiority or the inner ego and exteriority or the outer ego is also taken into consideration. Furthermore, the meaning of the notion of identity is put in relation to thymos, the ancient concept. And, at the same time, we try to apply elements of this conceptual tool to Luigi Pirandello’s play Six Characters in Search of an Author in an attempt to investigate the way identity is seen and treated by the playwright.