Acting Quote by Michael Chekhov
“In every well-written play the battle rages between the primary powers of Good and Evil, and it is this battle which constitutes the life impulse of the play, its driving force, and is basic to all plot structures...In any true piece of art...the beginning and the end are, or should be, polar in principle. All the main qualities of the first section should transform themselves into their opposites in the last section.”
About This Quote
Source Book: To the Actor, Michael Chekhov, 1936
Drama hinges on the conflict of good versus evil, with plots moving from one polarity to its opposite, creating dynamic tension.
In simple terms: Plays thrive on opposing forces that transform throughout the story.
Key Takeaway
Embrace conflict to drive narrative.
Themes
conflict
drama
structure
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
theoretical
educational
When to use this quote
- playwriting
- directing
- acting workshops
- script analysis
Key Concepts
polarities
transformation
plot dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you introduce nuance into good‑evil conflicts?
- What subtle opposites can enrich a story?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on binary opposites can oversimplify complex characters.
