Friday, March 29, 2024
05:55 PM (GMT +5)

Go Back   CSS Forums > CSS Optional subjects > Group V > English Literature

English Literature Notes and Topics on Eng.Literature here

Reply Share Thread: Submit Thread to Facebook Facebook     Submit Thread to Twitter Twitter     Submit Thread to Google+ Google+    
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Search this Thread
  #1  
Old Sunday, May 29, 2005
Last Island's Avatar
Royal Queen of Literature
Medal of Appreciation: Awarded to appreciate member's contribution on forum. (Academic and professional achievements do not make you eligible for this medal) - Issue reason: AppreciationBest Moderator Award: Awarded for censoring all swearing and keeping posts in order. - Issue reason: Best ModGold Medal: Awarded to those members with  maximum number of  reputation points. - Issue reason: For the year 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011Member of the Year: Awarded to those community members who have made invaluable contributions to the Community in the particular year - Issue reason: 2008Diligent Service Medal: Awarded upon completion of 5 years of dedicated services and contribution to the community. - Issue reason: More than 5 years of dedicated servicesModerator: Ribbon awarded to moderators of the forum - Issue reason:
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Forest of Fallen Stars
Posts: 7,585
Thanks: 2,427
Thanked 15,848 Times in 5,006 Posts
Last Island is headed toward stardomLast Island is headed toward stardomLast Island is headed toward stardomLast Island is headed toward stardomLast Island is headed toward stardomLast Island is headed toward stardomLast Island is headed toward stardomLast Island is headed toward stardomLast Island is headed toward stardomLast Island is headed toward stardomLast Island is headed toward stardom
Post Introduction To Theatre Of Absurd

INTRODUCTION TO THEATRE OF ABSURD

The term “Absurd” in its modern sense was first used by Esslin and since then it was attached to a certain outlook on life and viewpoint in literature. Absurd drama has deep roots; it can be related to the mimes of ancient times as well as to the popular comedies of Italy. It connects with nonsense writing like that of Lewis Carrol as well as with the modern movement known as the Theatre of Cruelty. “Waiting for Godot” is one of the typical examples of it.

The theme of the play shows volcanic upheaval in the political and social departments of that time.

The Theater of Absurd has been a catch-phrase, much used and much abused. The Theatre of Absurd is a Post-war phenomenon. Genet’s “The Maid” had its first performance at the Athenee in Paris in 1947; Lonesco’s “Bald Primodonna” and Adamov’s earliest plays were first produced in 1950 and Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot” in 1952. It will be noticed that all these first performances took place in Paris. And Paris certainly is the fountainhead of the Theatre of the Absurd. Yet it is equally strange and significant the playwrights themselves are largely exiles from other countries gathered in Paris.


BACKGROUND – PURPOSE BEHIND ABSURD PLAYS

The waning of religious faith that had started with the Enlightenment and led Nietzsche to speak of the “Death of God” by the eighteen-eighties; the break down of the liberal faith in inevitable social progress in the wake of the world war; the prediction by Marx after Stalin had turned the Soviet Union into a totalitarian tyranny; the relapse into barbarism, mass murder and genocide in the curse of Hitler’s brief rule over Europe during the Second World War and in the after math of that war. The spread of spiritual emptiness in the outwardly prosperous and affluent societies of Western Europe and the United States. No doubt that many of the sensitive and intellectual minds of the mid twentieth century had lost the meaning of life. The firmest foundations for hopes and optimism collapsed. Suddenly man himself faced with a universe that is frightening and illogical – in a word ‘absurd’. All assurance of hope, all explanations of ultimate meaning have suddenly been unmasked as nonsensical illusions, empty chatter, whistling in the dark. The whole world presents an obscure babble of voices in an un-understandable language. Everything seems to turn in nightmare and horror.


REALISM + CONCLUSION

The realism of absurd plays is a psychological and inner-realism. They explore the human subconscious in depth rather than trying to describe the outward appearances of human existence. Such plays cannot be called deeply pessimistic but an expression of utter despair. The Theatre of Absurd attacks the comfortable certainties of religious or political orthodox. It aims to shock its audience out of complacency, to bring it face to face with the hard facts of human situation as writer sees. It is challenge to accept the human condition as it is, in all its mystery and absurdity, and to bear it with dignity, responsibly and precisely because there are no easy solutions to the mystery of existence. The shedding of easy solutions of comforting illusions may be painful but it leaves behind it a sense of freedom and relief. In the last resort, Theatre of Absurd does not provoke tears of despair but the laughter of liberation.
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Last Island For This Useful Post:
barren_vision (Monday, January 14, 2008), Figuring Out Life (Monday, February 24, 2014), shelix chohan (Saturday, February 25, 2017)
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Solved Everyday Science Papers Dilrauf General Science & Ability 4 Friday, April 08, 2011 06:10 PM
C++ portability guide sibgakhan Computer Science 5 Friday, January 26, 2007 07:52 PM
Waiting For Godot – As An Absurd Play Last Island English Literature 0 Sunday, December 31, 2006 04:20 AM
Essays on Essay Writing atifch Essay 6 Friday, December 22, 2006 11:24 PM


CSS Forum on Facebook Follow CSS Forum on Twitter

Disclaimer: All messages made available as part of this discussion group (including any bulletin boards and chat rooms) and any opinions, advice, statements or other information contained in any messages posted or transmitted by any third party are the responsibility of the author of that message and not of CSSForum.com.pk (unless CSSForum.com.pk is specifically identified as the author of the message). The fact that a particular message is posted on or transmitted using this web site does not mean that CSSForum has endorsed that message in any way or verified the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any message. We encourage visitors to the forum to report any objectionable message in site feedback. This forum is not monitored 24/7.

Sponsors: ArgusVision   vBulletin, Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.