Eating on stage in the light of the children’s dramaturgy

Abstract

Culinary matters go as far back in time as Ancient Greek comedy, acquiring a satirical colouring. This is not the case with the Enlightenment literature for children, which plays a primarily educational role. “Little comedies” of Stéphanie de Genlis, Arnaud Berquin and Christian Felix Weisse testify to this difference. In Poland, this theme first appeared in dramatic compositions of Klementyna Hoffmanowa, and her numerous subsequent imitators. As the dramaturgy for children developed, the themes of poverty, hunger, gluttony and philanthropy connected with realistic and moralistic attitudes have waned. With the development of dramatic fairy tale, images of cuisine have acquired poetic and ludic qualities; moreover, the 19th century contributed parodic forms. This does not mean a complete termination of moralizing – however, at present, the issues connected with healthy eating come to the forefront against products for quick consumption.