Methexis

In theatre, methexis (Ancient Greek: μέθεξις; also methectics), is "group sharing". Originating from Greek theatre, the audience participates, creates and improvises the action of the ritual.

In philosophy, methexis is the relation between a particular and a form (in Plato's sense), e.g. a beautiful object is said to partake of the form of beauty.^[1]

Methexis is sometimes contrasted with mimesis. The latter "connotes emphasis on the solo performer (the hero) separate from the audience," in direct contrast to the communal methectic theatrical experience which has "little or no 'fourth wall'".^[2]

References

1. Mautner, Thomas (2005). Penguin Dictionary of Philosophy. p. 388.
2. Scott Giles, Freyda (1998). "Methexis vs. Mimesis: Poetics of Feminist and Womanist Drama". In Zack, Naomi (ed.). Race/Sex: Their Sameness, Difference, and Interplay.

External links

• The dictionary definition of methexis at Wiktionary
• The dictionary definition of methectics at Wiktionary