The philosopher and educationalist Rudolf Steiner was also a
radical dramatist who wrote four lengthy and complex plays. The
first of these, The Portal of Initiation, is rich in content and artistically
presented, but leaves us with questions: Why is the first scene so
long and many speeches so lengthy? Why are our usual
expectations of drama not met? Was Steiner really a competent
dramatist?
In this essential guide, Trevor Dance suggests that the first step to
appreciating The Portal of Initiation is to understand Steiner’s
methods. The play belongs to the tradition of Mystery Dramas from
ancient times – artistic works intended as vehicles for inner
development. Steiner thus combines aspects of Goethe’s alchemical
fable The Green Snake and the Beautiful Lily with the spiritual growth
of contemporary individuals – all in the broader context of
reincarnation and karma. With accessibility in mind, the author
provides a clear synopsis of each scene and introduces us to the
characters – a collection of rustics, sophisticates, hierophants and
spiritual entities. Their dilemmas and challenges take place on
many layers of reality: from a room in Sophia’s house to the exalted
Sun Temple.
Revealing the enigmas behind the creation and content of The Portal
of Initiation, Dance enables us not only to enjoy the play, but also to
love it. His lucid guide – the first of its kind – is an ideal
introduction for both individual readers and study groups.
