Author(s)

Sameeul Haq Nazki^*, Jammu, Kashmir

Affiliation(s)

Department of English, Vignan University, Off-Campus Hyderabad, India.

Corresponding Author

Sameeul Haq Nazki

ABSTRACT

This paper examines how the play portrays guilt and remorse within the context of war and violence. Arden’s play is set in a small English mining town. It unfolds against a backdrop of military tension and the atrocities of imperial conflict. The play reveals the complex inner turmoil that soldiers experience upon returning home. The purpose of this study is to analyse the internal and external conflicts that arise from the soldiers’ actions. It explores how these emotions shape their identities, choices, and relationships. The study delves into moral accountability, a recurring theme in the play. It highlights the psychological impact of violence on soldiers and civilians alike. The research method uses a close textual analysis of key scenes, focusing on Sergeant Musgrave’s inner struggle. Arden shows how a soldier’s pursuit of justice can be corrupted by guilt and a thirst for revenge. Musgrave’s guilt for the violence he has witnessed and caused drives him to take drastic actions. His remorse influences his decisions, pushing him to confront his past. This analysis shows how guilt and remorse affect not only Musgrave’s sense of self but also the town’s social fabric. It introduces an element of collective moral reckoning. The findings show that guilt and remorse powerfully influence the characters’ actions. These emotions shape personal choices and affect community dynamics. This analysis suggests that Sergeant Musgrave’s Dance questions the morality of violence. It raises ethical concerns around justice, duty, and redemption. This paper argues that guilt and moral remorse are transformative forces. They impact individual and collective morality, making the play a compelling commentary on war and violence.

KEYWORDS

Consciousness, Struggle, Knowledge, Dilemma, Violence, Remorse and Moral Growth

CITE THIS PAPER

Sameeul Haq Nazki, Jammu, Kashmir. The weight of sin: exploring the complexities of guilt and moral remorse in John Arden's Sergeant Musgrave's Dance. Journal of Trends in Arts and Humanities. 2024, 1(2): 21-26. DOI: https://doi.org/10.61784/jtah3028.

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