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12 - Albee’s The Goat

Rethinking tragedy for the 21st century

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 May 2006

Stephen Bottoms
Affiliation:
University of Leeds
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Summary

In the summer of 2000, the comic Ellen DeGeneres commenced a three month tour of her new stand-up act, The Beginning, which was taped at the Beacon Theater in New York City on July 13th and broadcast on July 23rd as an HBO special. The tour was her first since creating a national sensation by coming out during the April 30, 1997 episode of her eponymous situation comedy, Ellen. The Beginning in part explores DeGeneres's experiences after that media event, humorously yet pointedly discussing the topic of sexual tolerance for consenting adults. In the monologue “Naked People,” DeGeneres ponders the highly politicized issue of gay and lesbian marriage, parodying the ludicrous logic of those who oppose these unions:

The people who are against it, some people say, “Marriage is a union between a man and a woman, and it’s always been that way and it should always remain that way; if we change it, and it’s between two people of the same sex, then what’s next? Someone could marry an animal.” That’s where they go to right away. These people scare me, and they think we’re weird. I don’t want to marry a goat; I really don’t. I can’t imagine marrying a goat; I can’t even imagine dating a goat. Getting to the point that you’re that serious, to make that kind of commitment. Clearly, you’d live together for a little while, to figure it out and see if you’re compatible. But I’m just picturing the apartment with you and the goat. Just photographs all over the place: you and the goat on the beach running, holding hands. You and the goat with the four-for-one photo strip [DeGeneres mimes the photographic images in the booth]. Sunday morning you’re trying to read the paper; it’s trying to eat it. “Don’t you eat that section, don’t, I haven’t read that yet, don’t you eat, don’t you eat [DeGeneres mimes chasing the goat and playfully fighting for the paper]. Come here, I love you, you goat, you little goat [DeGeneres mimes cuddling with the goat and tickling it under the chin].” I would think that would be a tough day, even for the most liberal parents, the day you bring the goat home. “Mom, Dad, this is Billy. We are in love.”

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2005

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