Theatre of Absurd by Nidhi Dave

The Theatre of the Absurd is term coined by the critic Martin Esslin.

1. Prepared by Nidhi Dave Roll no 16 Paper 110(A) History of English literature from 1900 to 2000. Topic: The Theatre of Absurd Email Id - [email protected] Submitted to- Department of English Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University

2. Introduction

3. Definition and Meaning

4. Meaning

5. Plot and Structure Anti-realistic, going against many of the accepted norms of conventional theatre
labelled by some critics as ‘anti-theatre’
often characterised by a deliberate absence of the cause and effect relationship between scenes
non-linear plot developments, sometimes cyclical – ending where they began
occasionally appearing as though there is no plot at all to speak of
deliberate lack of conflict A play in which nothing happens, that yet keeps audiences glued to their seats. What’s more, since the second act is a subtly different reprise of the first, he has written a play in which nothing happens, twice.

6. Absurd play

7. Examples of Absurd play

8. Acting and Characterisation Both presentational and representational modes of acting
sometimes stereotypical
often an absence of character development
absurd characters lack the motivation found in characters of realistic dramas, highlighting their purposelessness
time, place and identity are frequently blurred with characters often unsure about who or where they are
characters are often out of harmony or out of sync with the world in which they live

9. Dialogue language was devalued as a communication tool (unreliable and distrusted)
often illogical
sometimes telegraphic and clipped
long pauses
clichéd
repetitive
rhythmical
frequent use of silence
monotone
slow dialogue sometimes accompanied by a frenzied, fast-paced monologue (extremes)

10. Theatre of the Absurd Characteristics Questions of Existence: Absurd plays raise some basic questions of existence like- why we are alive why we have to die and why there is injustice and suffering. Distrust in Language For absurdist playwrights, language is only a meaningless communication and stereotyped exchange of ideas because words fail to express essence of human existence. Re-establishment of man’s communion with Universe They attempt to restore the importance of myth and rituals in the life of man and make them aware of the ultimate realities of their life.

11. Illogical Speeches and Meaningless Plots By illogical speeches and meaningless plots, they wish to establish a feeling of freedom to make their own worlds. Dr. Culik says,
“ Rationalist thought, like language, only deals with the superficial aspects of things, Nonsense, on the other hand, opens up a glimpse of the infinite.” Emphasize on Abstract Values of Life Absurdists force us to look at our abstract values of life like love and family. Thus, we may hope to accept the absurdity of life and try to find values in a world devoid of them.

12. Vagueness about Time, Place and Character Absurdists have no time, place and character in their plays as they feel that there is no past or future, only the repetition of the present Lack of communication amid characters Each character lives an egoistic life and attempts to get another character to understand him and this results in more alienation.

13. Cash, Justin, et al. “33 Unusual Theatre of the Absurd Conventions.” The Drama Teacher, 8 Nov. 2021, https://thedramateacher.com/theatre-of-the-absurd-conventions/ . Sarkar, Somnath, et al. “Theatre of the Absurd: Definition, Examples, Characteristics, History.” All About English Literature, 14 Feb. 2022, https://www.eng-literature.com/2021/05/theatre-of-the-absurd-definition-examples-characteristics.html . “Eugene Ionesco Quotes.” BrainyQuote, Xplore, https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/eugene_ionesco_777439 . The Theatre of the Absurd, https://blisty.cz/video/Slavonic/Absurd.htm#:~:text=THE%20THEATRE%20OF%20THE%20ABSURD&text=‘The%20Theatre%20of%20the%20Absurd,the%20French%20philosopher%20Albert%20Camus .

14. Sarkar, Somnath, et al. “Theatre of the Absurd: Definition, Examples, Characteristics, History.” All About English Literature, 14 Feb. 2022, https://www.eng-literature.com/2021/05/theatre-of-the-absurd-definition-examples-characteristics.html . Thank you