Throughout Tom Stoppard's Arcadia, intellectual ideas and themes are explored. Set in two contrasting timeframes, it shows history in the making and history in the discovering - both by groups of mostly highly enlightened individuals. However, mixed in with humour and irony, the play is made lighter, more enjoyable and more accessible to the average audience.

Scene seven is the central point of the play. Seemingly the climax, it is chaotic but more significant that way, as it concludes central themes and ties up 'loose ends', such as the "Sidley Hermit". Stoppard shows his competence and understanding of using theatrical methods particularly in this scene.

The device of combining the two time frames is designed to add confusion but also bring the two times [and people] together; showing that even though these individuals were born more than a hundred years apart, they are still very similar: Although fashion and society has changed, human nature has remained the same.

Gus is a key character here. Playing the parts of Augustus, Thomasina's younger brother in the 1800's, and Gus in the 1900's; Chloe and Valentine's brother of the same age [and family]. Although t

In the present day tension between Bernard and Chloe develop causing bedlam when Lady Croom [Chloe's Mother] discovers them in the hermitage.

There is another factor also. Because Thomasina was unable to explain her theory [something along the lines of entropy] this drove Septimus [along with guilt and grief also] to the hermitage, and worse, eventually insane. More irony here though, was this pre-determined or not? Maybe because of the attraction between him and Thomasina that outcome was not meant to happen either. Another subtle joke added by Stoppard to test an audience's understanding or alertness.

This idea leads onto one that is very closely linked to the previous. The clash between Romanticism and Reason. These were two periods in time, but carried contrasting ethics and views.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Thomasina Thomasina, Science Maths, Characters Thomasina, Thomasina Gus, Stoppard's Arcadia, Chloe Valentine's, Hermit Stoppard, Septimus Thomasina, Romanticism Free, Lady Croom, lady croom, characters bernard, perfect marriage, sexual liaisons chater, stark contrast, linked characters, speed light, age reason, scientific progress, closely linked, matter personalities,
Approximate Word count = 1429
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)