Abstract
Denis Diderot’s The Paradox of the Actor ennobles actors who understand how to imitate another person as precisely as possible whilst still remaining consistently focused and self-aware. An actor capable of this form of artful technique embodies and epitomises the intricate relationship between difference and sameness. In addition, at his best, he will convey to spectators an experience of the paradox, which in turn initiates two key political virtues: scepticism and solidarity. Across five sections, the work below will examine and demonstrate 1) what the paradox of the actor is, 2) how an experience of the paradox can best be conveyed, 3) the extent to which spectators’ experience of the paradox cultivates scepticism and solidarity, 4) what role Diderot assigns to empathy here, and finally 5) the extent to which Diderot, in the context of the Enlightenment, was already developing a concept of political art which can still be considered as highly socially and politically relevant today as ever.
Abbt, Christine