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The objective of the present work is to underline the existence of Pirandello’s theory regarding the role concept and its connection with Moreno’s role theory and the psychodrama. This is done by analyzing the roles of the character Henry IV – from Pirandello’s homonymous play – in the light of Moreno’s definition of role. The main roles played by Henry IV are the king, the mad, the sick and the player. These roles represent the social roles defined by Moreno, which exist irrespective of circumstances, time and the person who plays them. The secondary roles of Henry IV are the psychodramatic roles described by Moreno as emerging in the interpersonal relationships under specific circumstances. The progress of the role from unconsciousness to consciousness marks the psychical fulfillment of the character, his capacity of understanding and using the role play as a way of reaching self knowledge and social integration. The analysis of the dramatic roles with the help of Moreno’s role theory is viewed as enhancing the acting process, in which the audience’s catharsis accompanies the actor’s catharsis, strengthening not only the aesthetic aspect of the play, but also the therapeutic one.

Keywords: theatre, Moreno, role, psychodrama