Shaft (or, The Tortoisiad)

Zeno, the famous inventor of philosophical paradoxes is down to one disciple--Lysis, a slacker--and his beautiful young wife Diotima seems to be having an affair with the Bronze-Age jock Achilles. But Zeno's real problem is dissonance: his reason tell him to believe one thing, his eyes and ears another, and his desires something else again.

Zeno, the famous inventor of philosophical paradoxes is down to one disciple--Lysis, a slacker--and his beautiful young wife Diotima seems to be having an affair with the Bronze-Age jock Achilles. But Zeno's real problem is dissonance: his reason tell him to believe one thing, his eyes and ears another, and his desires something else again.

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Shaft (or, The Tortoisiad)

Character Information

  • Zeno of Elea
    Character Age
    middle age
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Lysis
    Slacker
    Character Age
    20s
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Diotima
    Formidable young wife of Zeno
    Character Age
    20s
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Achilles
    *The* Achilles of the Iliad. Physically imposing
    Character Age
    30s
    Character Gender Identity
    Male

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Kitchen Theatre, Year 2001

Production History

  • Type Community Theater, Organization PIttsburgh New Works Festival, Year 2003