Draft:Axis of Coordinates

Axis of Coordinates (Persian: محور مختصات‎, Mehvar-e Mokhtassat) is a play written by Iranian author Farid Novin, published in 1972 by Nemooneh Publishing House in Iran. The play is known for its surrealist elements, philosophical themes, and incorporation of mythological and biblical references as symbolic vehicles to convey a political message about the inevitability of revolution under the Shah's rule.

Plot structure

The play begins with the death of its protagonist, "Old Leila," in the presence of her nephew Farhad. This opening scene sets the stage for a non-linear narrative that explores themes of human existence and mortality. The play employs meta-theatrical elements in its stage design, including a window facing the audience with an attached ladder. This serves as a portal for character entrances and establishes a boundary between reality and a metaphysical realm.

The hidden theme of this work is the prediction of the Iranian revolution, which is mentioned in the play as an "imminent event" awaited by some characters. Due to the harsh censorship of the Shah's regime, Novin takes refuge in extreme symbolism. However, in some dialogues, such as when Marsyas sarcastically declares that "I wash my body with imperial soap," this theme can be deciphered by the audience.

Characters

• Old Leila: The protagonist whose death initiates the play's events
• Young Leila: A counterpart to Old Leila, serving as a witness to her life
• Farhad: Old Leila's nephew
• Yahya: A character representing Farhad's subconscious or inner self
• The Violinist: A character claiming a mythical identity related to Marsyas from Ovid's "Metamorphoses"
• Ganymede, in Homeric legend, because of his unusual beauty, he was carried off by Zeus, to serve as cupbearer to gods.
• Mary Magdalene: Based on the biblical figure who repented and followed Jesus Christ
• Oholiba: Based on an unrepentant prostitute from the Book of Ezekiel in the Bible

Themes and Symbolism

The play's title, "Axis of Coordinates," alludes to points on a Cartesian plane, symbolizing the intersection of time and space within the narrative. The play blends classical mythology with contemporary storytelling, referencing the musical contest between Marsyas and Apollo from Ovid's works. Key themes explored in the play include:

• The nature of existence
• Mortality and the passage of time
• Tension between human ambition and political authority
• Redemption and the cyclical nature of human experience

The play challenges audiences to consider universal aspects of the human experience that transcend time and culture, inviting reflection on the connections between seemingly unrelated narratives in a highly totaliterian regime