The Mythographic Context of Shaw's Pygmalion

Observes that George Bernard Shaw's play 'Pygmalion' is read in a mythographic context that has generally focused exclusively on its connections to Ovid's version of the myth, contained in 'Metamorphoses.' Argues, borrowing from the theories of Lévi-Strauss, that alternative versions of the Pygmalion myth should be studied, as mythic tales are not 'static,' but constantly refined through retellings. Explains the use of 'contextualisation' in the article, finding that the disparity between Ovid and Shaw is too great to allow one to provide context for the other. Examines alternate versions of the story and discusses how actors' interpretations of Galatea and Pygmalion change the effect of the play, citing several performances and critical responses.