Theatre of The Absurd

Context Originates post WWII, beginning in Europe (mid 1940s) Came from a school of thought that could find “no rational explanation for human life”. This is reflected in the characters in this genre. The playwright asks us to “draw our own conclusions” and make of it what we will. This theatre genre is unfamiliar to many and may make us uncomfortable.

Key Elements Characters: –Do not have names, jobs or backgrounds –Have no control over what happens to them (no power) –Aren’t what you would expect eg: litter, animals –Odd/strange behaviour –Often, interdependent pairs – eg Rosencrantz & Guilderstein; Vladimir & Estragon with one of the pair more dominant.

Key Elements Settings: –Not distinct, could be anywhere –Not specific: eg “a road” instead of “on the side of the road to Mandalay at dusk.”

Key Elements Language –Natural language but dialogue is circular (moves in circles and doesn’t necessarily advance). –Can be confusing and may not make sense –Use of pause (usually 5 secs) and silence (usually 10 secs) –Repetition, rhyme

Key Playwrights Samuel Beckett –Irish dramatist –“Waiting for Godot” was once described as the “play where nothing ever happens. Twice.”

Key Playwrights Jean Genet –French dramatist –Sympathy with the outcasts in Society. –Notable works: (english names) The Maids; Deathwatch; The Balcony