This essay is a comparative study of two Absurd plays. But before we start with the essay let’s look at what the Theatre of the Absurd is. The ‘Theatre of the Absurd’ is a post- World War II concept. The first and the most important playwrights of this movement were Samuel Beckett, Eugène Ionesco, Arthur Adamov and Jean Genet. These plays focus on or represent the absurdity of human existence. Absurdity in this context means disharmony or meaninglessness. This style of writing was first used by Samuel Beckett in his play ‘En Attendant Godot’ between the years 1948 to 1949. This play was originally written and performed in French in Paris but was later on translated as ‘Waiting for Godot’ and performed in English in 1955. The term ‘Theatre of
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The conversations and repetitions of the characters add to the absurdist theme of the play. There is repetition of the word “English”, at the beginning of the play when the playwright gives the audience stage directions. The playwright has done this on purpose probably to mock the English middle classes. The play is called ‘a tragedy of language’ and it stands up to this description. The play starts with Mrs. Smith talking about what they had for dinner and Mr. Smith clicking his tongue while reading his newspaper. And then they divert from one topic to another. At one point in their conversation they talk about several people named “Bobby Watson”. This repetition of the name renders the audience confused and that is the very purpose of the repetition. The audience must not try to find any coherence or any logic in these conversations. Also when the Martins arrive, they talk to each other as if they are complete strangers. And then later come to the conclusion that they are husband and wife. This depicts the absurd element of the play. The stories that the characters share make no sense whatsoever. And once the Fire Chief leaves chaos ensues and the characters speak absolute gibberish. The characters then shout together “It’s not that way, it’s over here”. Language no longer remains a means of communication. It has become one of the meaningless faculties/ elements of human
The conversations and repetitions of the characters add to the absurdist theme of the play. There is repetition of the word “English”, at the beginning of the play when the playwright gives the audience stage directions. The playwright has done this on purpose probably to mock the English middle classes. The play is called ‘a tragedy of language’ and it stands up to this description. The play starts with Mrs. Smith talking about what they had for dinner and Mr. Smith clicking his tongue while reading his newspaper. And then they divert from one topic to another. At one point in their conversation they talk about several people named “Bobby Watson”. This repetition of the name renders the audience confused and that is the very purpose of the repetition. The audience must not try to find any coherence or any logic in these conversations. Also when the Martins arrive, they talk to each other as if they are complete strangers. And then later come to the conclusion that they are husband and wife. This depicts the absurd element of the play. The stories that the characters share make no sense whatsoever. And once the Fire Chief leaves chaos ensues and the characters speak absolute gibberish. The characters then shout together “It’s not that way, it’s over here”. Language no longer remains a means of communication. It has become one of the meaningless faculties/ elements of human