Name: __________________________________________________
Proof Character Analysis
Proof is a play written by playwright David Auburn, and it focuses on one woman’s struggle with mental health.
She is one part mathematical genius and one part mental dysfunction, just like her father. It was published in 2000,
and that same year it premiered as a small, off-Broadway play. Within months it was elevated to a full-blown
Broadway production with a star-studded cast. In 2001 the play received numerous awards including a Pulitzer
Prize for Drama and a Tony Award for Best Play. The starring actress also received a Tony award for her
impressive portrayal of the main character, Catherine. The play ran on Broadway for over two years and a total of
917 separate performances. In 2005 the play was made into a film, which we will be watching together in class.
The play is at the same time both simple and complex. There are only four characters: two sisters – Catherine and
Claire, one recently deceased father – Robert, and a love interest/math scholar – Hal. The premise is simple.
Robert, a brilliant mathematician incapacitated by mental illness, has recently died. Catherine, his younger
daughter, has written a brilliant mathematical proof, but no one believes that she wrote it. She must “prove” that
she wrote the “proof” despite her own struggles with mental illness and her distinct lack of academic credentials.
The play is dramatic and compelling with its cast of memorable characters. The play is chock-full of heated
dialogue (please excuse the abundant use of the f-bomb) and these little things called “beats.” What is a beat? I’m
glad you asked. A “beat” influences the timing, movement, and progression of a film or play. It is like the drumbeat
in a piece of music; drums propel a song forward, and “beats” propel a film or play forward. A “beat” indicates an
action/reaction, or an event, decision, or discovery that compels the protagonist (hero) forward. A “beat” indicates
a moment in time when something changes to push the storyline towards its goal.
Enough of all that instruction; I’m tired of hearing myself drone on about beats. Now it’s time for you to do
something. Together, we are going to read through the play. As we read, I want you to keep track of each
character, noting his/her key characteristics and defining qualities. Once you get a picture of the character in your
mind, I want you to try on the role of casting director. If you were to put on your own production of Proof, which
Hollywood actors would you pick to play each of the four main characters?
As we read the play, please record your observations and analysis below.
1. Catherine: List her key characteristics and defining qualities:
Which Hollywood actress would you pick to play her?
Why? Be specific. What other role has this actress played that would qualify her for this part?
A). Movie:
B). Role:
C). Reason:
2. Robert: List his key characteristics and defining qualities:
Which Hollywood actor would you pick to play him?
Why? Be specific. What other role has this actor played that would qualify him for this part?
A). Movie:
C). Reason:
B). Role:
3. Hal: List his key characteristics and defining qualities:
Which Hollywood actor would you pick to play him?
Why? Be specific. What other role has this actor played that would qualify him for this part?
A). Movie:
B). Role:
C). Reason:
4. Claire: List her key characteristics and defining qualities:
Which Hollywood actress would you pick to play her?
Why? Be specific. What other role has this actress played that would qualify her for this part?
A). Movie:
B). Role:
C). Reason:
Après the Play: Now that we’re done with the play, we are going to watch the Hollywood-ized film version of the
play. The casting director picked Gwyneth Paltrow, Anthony Hopkins, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Hope Davis to play
Catherine, Robert, Hal, and Claire, respectively. They also included a small cast of minor characters that didn’t exist
in the play’s original form. I want you to record your observations about the film’s actors below.
1. Are the actors believable in their roles? Why or why not?
A. Gwyneth Paltrow/Catherine –
B. Anthony Hopkins/Robert –
C. Jake Gyllenhaal/Hal –
D. Hope Davis/Claire –
2. What do you think Claire’s relationship with Robert looked like before he died?
3. Think of the idea of “proof” in each character’s relationships. What does each character need to prove?
Catherine
Robert
Hal
Claire