Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
The Absurd (Post 1945 (War as a Watershed (Western Europe + USA…
The Absurd
-
Post 1945
Destabilising of moral, social + philosophical certainties following WW2 = radical shift
Change, fashion, politics + progression play a major role in shaping plays + playwrights
Since WW2 new modes of thinking + expression have been passed thru the modern theatre as a means of an intellectual testing ground
-
Theater has shown that life is inexplicable, and therefore the theatre, as a reflection of life, should be no different.
War as a Watershed
WW2 stands as a watershed for drama, modern attitudes, expressions + thoughts
Western Europe + USA reconfigured their dominant perception + philosophies of basic existence due to:
-
-
-
-
The work of revolutionaries that would later be great influences, was being misunderstood at the time
Late 16th + early 17th century theatre was politically engaged - but before WW2 the stage was largely uneventful
Inaftermath of war, philosophical thinking changed the outlook of the theatre to massive cultural + critical efffect
Existentialism
-
One idea of this is that we are all thrust into an existence without a choice, guidance, and any essential task other than to survive until death
Life to existentialists is inexplicable, arbitrary and bizarre
Courage
Stoicism
-
-
AURELIUS: the first rule is to keep an untroubled spirit. The second is to look things in the face and see them for what they are.
-
Physical Courage
-
Sustained
-
L is rather defiant
He doesn't do anything about his treatment, yet he does not let it consume him; he stands his ground i.e. he works hard for P so that he isn't sold to someone else #
-
P could be deemed courageous as in A1 he loved his sight (SEE sky description) but in A2 he is without this and still managing to continue life
-
-
Moral Courage
Inconsistent
A2 - P explains how VE should beat L - but in A1 E has an outburst at P for his treatment of L: It's a scandal!
VE treated L badly bc L hurt E in A1 - but if they ahd any morality they would know that L's punishment was not j - ABSURD yet a common event
Suicide
-
V attempts to dissuade E
-
V could be supid for clinging onto an unexistent hope instead of facing the absurdity of the universe
End - Facing Fate
-
V knows the answers to the Qs he poses to the Boy, and realises the repetition
E arguable faces their fate mroe so than V - he accepts their situation is awful rather than holding onto false pretences like V
-
Neither have the courage to break free of G - he is their hope - does this have a religious significance? #
Solutions
Suicide
VE never fully reject this idea, they just lack the motivation #
B mocks their suicidal attempts - suggests he thinks suicide is cowardly #
-
Religious Beliefs
-
-
-
-
Could this also be considered a philosophical suicide somewhat as V is wasting his life waiting for G who C gives the impression will never arrive
E doesn't chose a consoling myth, but he does compare himself to Christ
-
-
-
P's A2 speech suggests that he doesn't cling onto a consoling myth, yet he does not want to face up to the truth #
-
Acceptance
P accepts the absurd universe in A2 #
In A1 P had a purpose, a schedule, cared for time - but this didn't make him weak or cowardly
P could be deemed courageous as in A1 he loved his sight (SEE sky description) but in A2 he is without this and still managing to continue life
Futility
Beckett
Claims universe is absurd but does not state their is a positivity nor negativity #
-
-
-
Acceptance
-
-
VE have moments of courage but they don't embrace absurdity #
-
Conclusion
None of B's characters reach the point where their life can be lived all the better and to dance on the verge of the abyss
Neither of the below quotes explicitly states that there is an actual joy - perhaps they actually do refer to the moments of happiness used to pass the time
Does B actaully present Absurdism positively here if P is both an absurdist and yet shows struggles?