From barbarian to savage: the animalization of the other

Abstract

This article proposes to draw a parallel between the terms “barbarian” / “savage” and “authorized” / “civilized subjects”, in order to reflect on the perpetuation of these bodies and the place they occupy in literature. Based on the reading of this body in the tragedy Medea by Euripides and its reinterpretation in the Argentine play The Border, staged in 1960 by David Cureses, we are interested in thinking about how the barbarian can be represented in a way that revives conflicts that remain in a state of tension. From this, some questions arise: in what ways is the barbarian inscribed in savage characters? And what is this space they inhabit? What causes our characters to be subjected to the place of monstrosity? We believe that literature makes it possible to understand these marginalized places, as well as how these borders are established and, at times, never crossed. Based on the plays mentioned above, we will analyze the relationship constructed between the terms “barbarians” / “savages” and “authorized” / “civilized subjects”, reflecting on the dialogue and the updating of contexts and characters that, although separated by time, represent the Other. Through the texts cited, we will offer theoretical considerations on these developments.