Theater of Absurd in Literature II Definition, Characteristics, Examples II Literary Terms, Dr. Vipul V. Kapoor

Theater of Absurd in Literature II Definition, Characteristics, Examples II Literary Terms
Dr. Vipul V. Kapoor

1. Theatre of Absurd Definition, Examples, Characteristics Dr . Vipul V. Kapoor

2. Movement of Theatre of Absurd This movement is associated with the post-modern drama. Theatre of Absurd as a movement was much popular from 1950s-60s to 1980s-90s. This movement springs from other previous movements of Existentialism and Surrealism, Dadaism (nonsense poetry). It ended with the death of Samuel Beckett in 1989.

3. ORIGIN OF ‘THEATRE OF ABSURD’ A Hungarian critic Martin Esslin coined the term ‘Theatre of Absurd’ in 1962, who published a book with the same title.

4. DEFINITION OF THEATRE OF ABSURD

5. What is an Absurd Drama? “Absurd” means “meaninglessness”, “futile”, “out of harmony”, “senseless”, “foolishness” This drama projects the meaninglessness of human life, relations, actions, dialogues of the post-modern world. Absurd drama conveys the idea that life is meaningless and it will end someday abruptly. Emptiness, nothingness and unresolved mysteries are at the center in such plays.

6. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND Effects of World War II

7. 70 to 85 million people killed

8. Frustration, Meaninglessness

9. ‘The Myth of Sisyphus’ by Albert Camus

10. What are the features of Theatre of Absurd?

11. Anti-Character In traditional drama, the characters are shaped and developed with their actions, thoughts which are rational, logical. In Theatre of Absurd, irrational, illogical characters are presented who create confusion in the minds of the people. In Waiting for Godot , two tramps are the protagonists in the play. From the beginning to the end of the drama, they speak continually. Sometimes they talk each other, and sometimes they talk to themselves. Their words are difficult to understand for audience. They do nothing in the drama. They wait for something, someone and the play comes to the end.

12. Anti-Dialogue Language is an important constituent of any literary work. In Absurd drama, the language is obscure and disorderly. One can not guess what the character will speak in his next statement because their language is irregular and unpredictable.

13. Anti-Plot In traditional drama, we find a series of actions logically connected with one another. There is a proper beginning, middle and end. But in Absurd drama, there is no such coherence and unity of action. In fact, not many actions are presented here. In ‘Waiting for Godot ’, audience cannot guess the result of the play. They even do not know what the two boys will do or say in the next step. From the beginning to the end of this play, we do not know what they are waiting for and what they are talking about. We just know they are having an endless waiting and an endless talking

14. Themes Meaninglessness of human existence. Cruelty of Post-Modern man. Lack of compassion among the human beings. Isolation among people.

15. Major Works & Writers 1. Samuel Beckett Waiting for Godot , Endgame 2. Eugene lonesco   Rhinoceros, How to Get Rid of It 3. Jean Genet The Balcony 4 . Arthur Adamov Le Ping-Pong 5 . Harold Pinter The Dumb Waiter, The Birthday Party, The Homecoming

16. Conclusion The Theater of the Absurd is a mirror to reflect the western world after World War II. Absurd plays are anti-character, anti-dialogue, anti-plot, in fact, anti-drama. Meaningless and futile human existence and cruelty of the people, lack of understanding human relations constitute the major themes.