Theater+of+the+Absurd


 * __Theatre of the Absurd__**

//a quick summery of a few Wikipedia pages on the topic and other relevant topics://

Designation of plays of ‘absurdist fiction’ (//which// //focuses on the experiences of characters in a situation where they cannot find any inherent purpose in life, most often represented by ultimately meaningless actions and events. Common elements in absurdist fiction include satire, dark humour, incongruity, the abasement of reason, and controversy regarding the philosophical condition of being "nothing.” Works of absurdist fiction often explore agnostic or nihilistic topics//.) around for about 20 years starting in the 40’s.

Addresses concepts like: ‘in a godless universe, human existence has no meaning or purpose and there for all communication breaks down.’ Logical arguments are taken over by illogical speech and ultimately, silence. Has been defined as ‘the inevitable devaluation of ideals, purity and purpose.’

Term first coined in 1960 to relate to places basses upon the broad theme of absurdity, similar to the use in ‘the myth of sisyphus’.

The word absurd is used to describe mans reaction to a world without meaning, or men being controlled by or menaced by an invisible force. Also connects to surrealism and Dadaism, and has a close relationship to existentialism.

Characteristics include comedy mixed with horrific or tragic images, characters placed in hopeless situations, being forced to do meaningless and often repetitive actions, word play and nonsense. Plots tend to either be cyclical or overly expansive.

Samuel Beckett is seen as a significant absurdist playwright, with waiting for Godot first being performed on the 5th of July 1953

Elements of ‘theatre of the absurd’ can be seen echoed in many later places, particularly in experimental playwrights, with Martian McDonagh’s plays having very similar techniques and themes to that of //Beckett’s//

//Theatrical features differ, and are ‘absurd’ as they do not focus on traditional aspects such as logical acts, realistic occurrences or traditional character development, but focus on human beings being trapped in an incomprehensible world, which its self is subject to any occurrence, despite regular logical connections. This theme of incomprehensible is furthered by a tendency for language to fail to form meaningful human connections. Has a tendency to ask the viewer to draw his own conclusions, and hopes that he shall make his own errors.//

Despite seeming like nonsense, theatre of the absurd texts will always have something to say and can be understood. In a musical sense, absurd can mean ‘out of harmoney’, this resonates will with its place in the theatrical world.

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