1. How far do you agree that The History Boys is a play focused more on the learning of sexual identity than education?
*POSNER- is his sexual confusion the base for a comical role, or opening for a tragedy?
*EDUCATION- the entire play is about Oxbridge entrance exams. However, the value of education is degraded by the use of comedy and drama from the boys' relationships with every other character. Within the boys trying to identify themselves, there is then also the external influence of Hector who believes education should be used to make people happy (ironic as Posner, the only person that follows this belief, has the most tragic outcome of all the boys), while Irwin believes education should enable people to be more than the ordinary.
#question- do the characters confused sexual identities create comedy?
2. To what extent does Mrs. Lintott's character in the play serve purely as a functional role? [reference to how she supports Hector and serves as a dramatic contrast for Irwin, as well as the possibility of Bennett using her character as a medium for his views of a feministic history- the scene of her speech in the mock interviews]
3. To what extent do lies and deceit enhance the comedy and drama of the play? [reference to brothel scene, when Hector and boys lie to the headmaster]
4. How far do you agree that Hector is the most likeable character of The History Boys?
*HECTOR- despite his irresponsible behaviour, does his eccentricity strike the audience as comedic and therefore, likeable? [reference as to how Bennett makes it possible for the audience to forgive Hector using sympathy, with his emotional break down scene as well as his death]
