Albee, Edward: 1928 - 2016
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, 1962 - Summary
- Act 1:
The play begins with George and Martha, a middle-aged couple, returning home from a party at Martha's father's house. They invite a younger couple, Nick and Honey, over for drinks. The evening starts with a seemingly friendly atmosphere, but it quickly turns into a series of games and insults as George and Martha try to humiliate each other and their guests.Act 2:
As the night progresses, the games become more intense and personal. George and Martha reveal their deep-seated insecurities and resentments, and the lines between reality and fantasy become blurred. Nick and Honey are drawn into the chaos, and their own relationship is put to the test.Act 3:
The climax of the play comes when George and Martha reveal that they have been pretending to have a son, who is actually a figment of their imagination. This revelation forces George and Martha to confront the reality of their childless marriage and the emptiness of their lives.Act 4:
In the final act, George and Martha are left alone, and they share a moment of quiet intimacy. They realize that their marriage is a sham, but they also acknowledge that they are deeply in love. The play ends with a sense of resignation and acceptance, as George and Martha come to terms with their situation. - Summary & Analysis from the Edward Albee Society
- Short summary
- A 5 minute summary from Script Tease