The Seagull

The article considers the image of I. N. Arkadina from the point of view of the acting phenomenon. An actress not only by her profession, but throughout her life, Arkadina constantly changes types, acts a part, does everything ostentatiously, which other «non-theatrical» characters behaving naturally put into even sharper relief.

In the process of studying drama, direct contacts between characters outlined by the author deserve special attention. Such contacts help to clearly identify the characters’ dispositions, the nature of their relationship, features of the mise-en-scène pattern. The article focuses on the role of such contact motives in A. P. Chekhov’s comedy The Seagull.