The Affects in the Labyrinth: The Labyrinthic World of Dürrenmatt

Abstract

In this paper I will try to show how the labyrinth as a space influences the affects of the individuals. The affects depend very much on the contexts. Labyrinths are contexts within a certain society. I will concentrate on this dimension of the labyrinth, even if there are other possible interpretations. This space is connected to the negative sides of society. As a dysphoric space it produces fear, uncertainties, destroys hopes, inflences the quality of the affects and relations of people among each other, thus affecting the identity of each individual. I will show these spaces in Minotaurus: Eine Ballade and Die Stadt by the Swiss writer Friedrich Dürrenmatt.