Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf Essay

Purpose of Games in “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” Throughout the play “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” by Edward Albee, games are used as a way enforce the theme of reality and illusion. The characters use games to avoid reality and create illusion, spouting out countless lies until it’s difficult to interpret the line between the realities and illusions of the play. The biggest game throughout the play is that of “bringing up baby”, both George and Martha’s imaginary child, as well as Honey’s hysterical pregnancies and hinted abortions are toyed with through this game. Although in the first act it appears that Martha is running the games between her and George, George takes over the games in the second and third act. By taking over the games, George becomes in charge of the illusions present. George uses his power of controlling the illusion to gain charge of Martha, using the games to dominate over him. The purpose of games in “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” is to give George power over reality and illusion.

Most of the lies and contradicting statements made revolve around George, mainly revolving around his novel. On pages 105 to 107 of Albee’s play, George tells a story of a friend from his past, but on page 150 Martha claims that the story was actually from his novel, leaving the audience to question Georges sincerity about any of his claims. A journal, “Language: Truth and Illusion in ‘Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?’” by Ruth Meyer identifies many of these lies told, as well as the questions they create,