Voyage Act I: A Romantic Voyage

Voyage, the beginning play of the trilogy The Coast of Utopia by Tom Stoppard is based on philosophical principles and revolutionary ideas from the Romanticism of the nineteenth century. Each character carries on a different element used by the author to recreate love in a family of four daughters awaiting a time to marry. In this particular work of literature, the characters are part of a Russian family where the quick and interchanged dialogue is continuously established. With this revolutionary style of dialogue, a successful picture of a casual family reunion can be described. Being this point the prominent characteristic of the Voyage.
Anyhow it is not only the dialogue that takes part of the essence of this piece for the expressionism of the ideas is clear and dynamic. The pragmatic thought behind the theatre containing the space for these works to take action, has opened the possibility for the freedom of expression. A freedom developed in every line said by each character based on philosophy, but a philosophy based on the strongest emotion, love. In between followers attached to each of the four sisters, match-making initiatives are the base of the context in this first part of the trilogy. For instance, “Stankevich: The philosopher of love Liubov: Yes, she says love is the highest good. Stankevich: Perhaps in France. Kant says, the only good actions are those performed out of a sense of duty, not from emotion . . . like passion or desire. . . Liubov: So to act out of love can never be good? Stankevich: Kant says you cannot take moral credit from it. Because you are really pleasing yourself. Liubov: Even if it gives happiness to another?”(Stoppard 26). In this example of courtship taking place with a philosophical basis. Even though they talk about George Sand, the romantic novelist of the time, it is a good method to bring up a conversation. The female part in this dialogue results being intense and constantly attacking the young teacher with deceiving questions. Theories are based on other thinkers, reflecting the dependent personality of Stankevich to support his own answers. Is it just an element to support his grandiosity? Or does he intend to hide his insecurity with many facts?
Life is a voyage, containing passionate adventures and treasures to desire. This play is based on this idea, searching for the perfect match. The game of love is a main topic in this act, replacing the complicated political opinions that will appear in the next play, Shipwreck.