Ranking goes

Anna Christie

The Emperor Jones (delightful)

Beyond the Horizon

The Hairy Ape

Probably a bit biased because I also watched the adaption with Paul Robeson in The Emperor Jones and he was very good. This ranking might not be completely objective as my perception could have been influenced by the outstanding performance of Paul Robeson in the adapted version of The Emperor Jones. His portrayal brought the character to life in a truly remarkable way, adding an extra layer of depth and魅力 to the story. However, it's important to note that the other plays in the ranking, such as Anna Christie, Beyond the Horizon, and The Hairy Ape, also have their own unique qualities and merits. Each play offers a distinct exploration of different themes and ideas, and they all contribute to the rich tapestry of American drama. While The Emperor Jones might have stood out to me due to the exceptional performance of Paul Robeson, I still appreciate and respect the value of the other plays in this ranking.

In my opinion, I would have given it a higher rating. However, in my view, O'Neill is always better when he is on stage.

There is just something about his presence and performance that truly shines when he is in front of an audience.

Maybe it's the energy he brings, the way he commands the stage, or the passion he shows in his acting.

Whatever it is, it makes a significant difference in the overall experience.

While the work itself may have had its merits, O'Neill's on-stage performance takes it to another level.

It's as if he has a natural ability to bring the characters to life and make the story more engaging and captivating.

So, although I might have considered a higher rating, it's hard to overlook the fact that O'Neill's true strength lies in his stage presence.

William Shakespeare is widely regarded as one of the greatest playwrights in history.

He has written a large number of outstanding plays that have stood the test of time.

His works cover a wide range of themes and genres, including tragedies, comedies, and historical plays.

Some of his most famous plays include "Romeo and Juliet," "Hamlet," "Macbeth," and "A Midsummer Night's Dream."

Shakespeare's plays are known for their complex characters, beautiful language, and profound insights into human nature.

They have been performed countless times around the world and continue to inspire generations of actors, directors, and audiences.

Today, Shakespeare's plays remain an important part of the world's cultural heritage and are studied and enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds.

It is no exaggeration to say that Shakespeare's plays have had a profound and lasting impact on the development of literature and drama.

Eh

Early works that demonstrate this characteristic exist. They are often rough in nature and pose difficulties when it comes to reading. There might be a few truly great lines scattered within, which manage to catch the reader's attention. However, when considering the work as a whole, it can be argued that it is not entirely worth the effort put into reading it. The roughness can make the experience somewhat frustrating, and the few good lines may not be enough to outweigh the overall lack of polish and coherence.

Perhaps with further refinement and development, these early works could have become something more substantial and engaging. But in their current state, they serve more as a reminder of the artist's journey and the potential that lies within, rather than as a fully realized and satisfying piece of literature or art.

Nevertheless, it is important to note that even these less-than-perfect early works can offer valuable insights into the artist's creative process and the evolution of their style. They can provide a glimpse into the beginnings of something that may eventually grow and mature into something truly remarkable.

The Emperor Jones is truly a complex and fascinating piece of work.

The story revolves around an African-American who has managed to establish himself as the emperor of a Caribbean island. However, things take a turn for the worse when the black savage inhabitants of the island rise up in rebellion. Now, he must find a way to escape through the dense and dangerous jungle.

What makes this play even more interesting is the way Jones' dialogue is written. It is in that typical "I sho' is hungee" dialect, which adds a certain authenticity to his character. But beyond that, the play seems to touch on some deeper themes, such as what W.E.B. DuBois called double consciousness.

While the play may be extremely problematic in some ways, it is precisely because of these problems that it becomes so interesting. It forces us to grapple with difficult questions about race, power, and identity. Overall, The Emperor Jones is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring these complex issues.

** 3.5 stars **

This collection features four plays by Eugene O'Neill. It includes two Pulitzer Prize-winning family dramas, namely "Beyond the Horizon" and "Anna Christie", and two more experimental/symbolic plays that focus on a single character, "The Emperor Jones" and "The Hairy Ape". All four plays were originally produced between 1920 and 1922.

"Beyond the Horizon" tells the story of two brothers with fundamentally different natures. One is a hard worker content with life on the family farm, while the other is a restless dreamer渴望周游世界并找到自我. Their love for the same woman not only tears them apart geographically but also disrupts their personal goals, ambitions, and self-identities.

In "Anna Christie", two men, Anna's father and her would-be lover Mat, are at odds over her. This play explores the theme of accepting the decisions one has made in life, as well as those made by others, and setting aside judgment to embrace love and the future.
Both "The Emperor Jones" and "The Hairy Ape" are character studies of the title male figures. Brutus Jones has become emperor of a Caribbean kingdom through his cunning, but as the play begins, he realizes his days are numbered and plots his escape. He has created a powerful mythology about himself among the native people, but as he attempts to leave the island at night, he is haunted by visions of his past and is revealed to be a man living in fear. Yank from "The Hairy Ape" is a coal-stoker on a ship, respected by his fellow workers as a natural leader. However, his sense of self is shattered when an upper-class woman named Mildred comes to observe the boiler room and is frightened by his gruff manner and appearance, calling him a filthy beast and fainting. Yank spends the rest of the play brooding over what happened, plotting revenge against Mildred, and trying to figure out where he belongs in a world that views him as a hairy ape.
The two family dramas effectively build dramatic tension between scenes and acts. While I found the romances somewhat unbelievable, the portrayal of the father-daughter relationship in both plays was quite touching. The two more experimental plays, I believe, would have a greater impact when performed on stage, given the intended effects described in O'Neill's stage directions. Even just reading them, they offer intriguing single character studies, although in terms of language, they haven't aged particularly well. I would recommend this collection to those interested in American drama, especially since two of these plays were Pulitzer Prize winners and O'Neill was the first American dramatist to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1936.

Beyond the Horizon, 4 stars

Although it is a sad play, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it wasn't as dark and bleak as I had anticipated. There is indeed a love triangle at the heart of the story, but for me, this aspect didn't overshadow the more profound themes. The play is really about the choices we make and how we respond to them once they are made. Do we continue to move forward with hope, or do we become bitter and resentful? Do we despise those who have hurt us, or do we find it in our hearts to forgive? What truly touched and surprised me was the tenderness and love that the brothers showed towards each other. Despite their devastating choices and differences in personality and manner, their bond remained unbroken. Their forgiveness, protectiveness, and honesty were a source of hope in an otherwise tragic story. It was a reminder that true love, deep-seated and unconditional, is not easily broken, even in the face of life's unexpected turns and shattered dreams.

The Emperor Jones, 3 stars

Anna Christie, 3.5 stars

The Hairy Ape, 3 stars

(As a side note, this particular four-work volume has several typographical errors.)

God stuff!

Eugene O'Neill is indeed a remarkable playwright. He has an extraordinary talent for constructing tense situations that keep the audience on the edge of their seats. His use of good basic dialogue further enhances the impact of these situations, driving the story forward with authenticity and power.

Some of his early plays showcase his creativity at its best. There are moments of sheer brilliance where he explores complex themes and characters in a way that is both engaging and thought-provoking. However, it must be noted that at times, there is a certain repetitiveness in his work.

Nevertheless, when looking at his body of work as a whole, it is clear that O'Neill's contributions to the world of theater are significant. His plays have had a profound influence on generations of playwrights and continue to be studied and performed today. Overall, he is a true master of his craft.

Eugene O'Neill (1888-1953), a Nobel Prize-winning American playwright, was influenced by the realistic theater of Chekhov and Henrik Ibsen.

He had worked on ships for many years, and in most of his early works, he paid attention to the life of sailors and sea voyages.

The last plays of O'Neill are among the best, and in a way, they are famous tragedies of the disappointed characters.

O'Neill's works often explore themes such as human nature, fate, and the meaning of life.

His plays are known for their deep psychological insights and powerful emotional impact.

Despite facing many personal and professional challenges, O'Neill continued to write until his death, leaving behind a rich body of work that has had a profound influence on American and world theater.

Read *The Emperor Jones* and *The Hairy Ape*.

Both of these plays are filled with an insane amount of dialect. It makes one wonder if it's more than what Mark Twain used. Is that even possible? They are indeed interesting plays, and it's easy to see why Eugene O'Neill was hailed as the first great American playwright.

However, to me, they simply aren't *entertaining*. The reason for this is because of how moralizing they try to be. It seems as if O'Neill is more focused on making a point and teaching a lesson than on creating a truly engaging and enjoyable story. While the themes and ideas presented in the plays are important, they sometimes overshadow the entertainment value. It would have been nice if there was a better balance between the two. Overall, while I appreciate the significance of these plays, I can't say that I found them highly entertaining.