(Keith Chandler as Morpheus)
My Morpheus was actually inspired by a ballet - "La Sonnambula" choreographed by the master George
Balanchine, which I saw at the New York City Ballet several years ago. Not about the King of Dreams, but
a Sleepwalker - this haunting story used the metaphor of sleep, dreams, and desires, as I had never seen.
There are so many intriguing depictions of Morpheus in literature and film - taking the face of everything
from nightmares to cyberspace - and I happily devour each one! In my film he shows up as dream, as the
sleepwalker, and as Nick Bottom. He comes as much from the Greek myth as he does Balanchine's Poet in
the dance. He is young, hungry, surrendering himself to that which he finds fascinating - and at the same
time commanding, wanting to warp truth and control it. Thus he enters Titania's world seeking to
manipulate her perception, only to succumb to his own devices.
In the ballet - the Poet encounters a beautiful Sleepwalker. Following her in her deep state of slumber he
plays with her, tries to trip her, blocks her way (as my Morpheus does with Titania on her journey) and
every time - though lost in her dreams - she avoids his tricks and moves past him. He becomes spellbound
by the Sleepwalker. His true love discovers his infatuation and in the end - his recklessness gets the better
of him, and the guardian of his scorned love fatally wounds him. In the final moments of the dance the
Sleepwalker returns to bear the Poet's body away. Whereto? We know not. A perpetual state of sleep.
Of dream. An idea of love lasting forever. A curiosity visualized but never explained.
And so at once, for me, Morpheus is the Poet and the Sleepwalker, the god of dreams, and master
manipulator of all our desires.
Back
Balanchine, which I saw at the New York City Ballet several years ago. Not about the King of Dreams, but
a Sleepwalker - this haunting story used the metaphor of sleep, dreams, and desires, as I had never seen.
There are so many intriguing depictions of Morpheus in literature and film - taking the face of everything
from nightmares to cyberspace - and I happily devour each one! In my film he shows up as dream, as the
sleepwalker, and as Nick Bottom. He comes as much from the Greek myth as he does Balanchine's Poet in
the dance. He is young, hungry, surrendering himself to that which he finds fascinating - and at the same
time commanding, wanting to warp truth and control it. Thus he enters Titania's world seeking to
manipulate her perception, only to succumb to his own devices.
In the ballet - the Poet encounters a beautiful Sleepwalker. Following her in her deep state of slumber he
plays with her, tries to trip her, blocks her way (as my Morpheus does with Titania on her journey) and
every time - though lost in her dreams - she avoids his tricks and moves past him. He becomes spellbound
by the Sleepwalker. His true love discovers his infatuation and in the end - his recklessness gets the better
of him, and the guardian of his scorned love fatally wounds him. In the final moments of the dance the
Sleepwalker returns to bear the Poet's body away. Whereto? We know not. A perpetual state of sleep.
Of dream. An idea of love lasting forever. A curiosity visualized but never explained.
And so at once, for me, Morpheus is the Poet and the Sleepwalker, the god of dreams, and master
manipulator of all our desires.
Back
| A Note on Lisa's Morpheus Character |