Equus

Dysart reflects on what Alan told him. Alan is in his room, leaving Dysart “alone with Equus” (87). Speaking to the audience, Dysart says that he still hears Equus’s voice. Equus the horse-god speaks to Dysart in a sarcastic tone, asking whether the psychiatrist really believes that he can “account for Me” (87–88). Dysart admits that he has never been so unsettled by a case. He is asking questions of himself that he has never asked before. Dysart wonders why a child grows up to become whomever they become. The child’s experiences form a “chain of shackles” (88) in a process which confounds Dysart. He does not know whether he can understand it, so he feels that he no longer understands the purpose of his work.

Dysart is interrupted by the nurse. She tells him that Dora is visiting Alan, and they are arguing. Alan and Dora angrily confront one another; Dora accuses Alan of looking at her in a particular manner, then hits him. Dysart breaks up the argument and tells Dora to leave Alan’s room. Dora exits and crosses the stage. As the nurse takes Alan back to his room, Dysart follows Dora.