The essence of semiotic theory in Athol Fugard’s four elected plays

Abstract

In the analysis of literary works, critics make use of various theories depending on what their interest is for the particular work. This paper is grounded in semiotics literary theory. Semiotics, translated as the science of signification, is often said to derive from two sources: F. de Saussure (Swiss-French, 1857-1913) and C.S. Peirce (Anglo-American, 1839-1914). Some other researchers known for their work in semiotics are Noam Chomsky, Umberto Eco, R. Barthes and Jean Baudrillard.