the Theatre of the Absurd

OutlineOutline Greek roots Camus’s essay “Myth” and Esslin Popular:

Freud WWII (nuclear)

Beckett Traditional vs. Absurd Language Logic

Greek roots Camus’s essay “Myth” and Esslin Popular:

Freud WWII (nuclear)

Beckett Traditional vs. Absurd Language Logic

History of the Absurd: Roots: Greece

History of the Absurd: Roots: Greece

Absurd elements first made their appearance in Greek drama.

Absurd elements first made their appearance in Greek drama.

Term: “THEATRE OF THE ABSURD”

Term: “THEATRE OF THE ABSURD”

The Theatre of the Absurd is a term coined by Martin Esslin in 1962.

The term refers to a type of play which presented the philosophy of Albert Camus (articulated in his 1942 essay, The Myth of Sisyphus).

The Theatre of the Absurd is a term coined by Martin Esslin in 1962.

The term refers to a type of play which presented the philosophy of Albert Camus (articulated in his 1942 essay, The Myth of Sisyphus).

Albert Camus: wrote the essay “Myth of Sisyphus”Albert Camus: wrote the essay “Myth of Sisyphus”

Camus argued that humanity had to admit that a rational explanation of the universe was beyond its reach.

the world must ultimately be seen as absurd or ridiculous.

There is no fate, God, or reason behind anything.

Camus argued that humanity had to admit that a rational explanation of the universe was beyond its reach.

the world must ultimately be seen as absurd or ridiculous.

There is no fate, God, or reason behind anything.

One reason Absurdism became popular was because Freud became popular.

One reason Absurdism became popular was because Freud became popular.

Id= Animal desires Ego=How we are

taught to behave Superego= negotiates

between them.

Freud thought we ignored our id too much and that made us insane.

Id= Animal desires Ego=How we are

taught to behave Superego= negotiates

between them.

Freud thought we ignored our id too much and that made us insane.

Absurdists loved Freud’s id. There is a lot in life that was insane that we ignore to our

peril.

Absurdists loved Freud’s id. There is a lot in life that was insane that we ignore to our

peril.

WWII: Nuclear ThreatWWII: Nuclear Threat

WWII also popularized Absurdism.

WWII also popularized Absurdism.

the trauma of living under threat of nuclear annihilation showed everyone how ridiculous life is.

Suddenly, one did not need to be an abstract thinker in order to be able to reflect upon absurdity.

the trauma of living under threat of nuclear annihilation showed everyone how ridiculous life is.

Suddenly, one did not need to be an abstract thinker in order to be able to reflect upon absurdity.

Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot

Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot

Epitomized theatre of the absurd and was a huge, worldwide success.

Epitomized theatre of the absurd and was a huge, worldwide success.

Absurd vs. TraditionalAbsurd vs. Traditional traditional theatre attempts to create a

photographic representation of life.

the Theatre of the Absurd relates to the entire world including the world of dreams and the id.

traditional theatre attempts to create a photographic representation of life.

the Theatre of the Absurd relates to the entire world including the world of dreams and the id.

Theatre vs. The Theatre of the Absurd

Theatre vs. The Theatre of the Absurd

Language: “words, words, words.”

Language: “words, words, words.”

Language is meaningless. Words fail to express the essence

of human experience. The Theatre of the Absurd shows

language is a very unreliable and tool. It uses conventional speech, cliches,

slogans and technical jargon, to distort and parody.

Language is meaningless. Words fail to express the essence

of human experience. The Theatre of the Absurd shows

language is a very unreliable and tool. It uses conventional speech, cliches,

slogans and technical jargon, to distort and parody.

LogicLogic Rational thought only deals with the

superficial aspects of things. Nonsense, on the other hand, opens up a glimpse of the infinite/ the truth.

Absurd drama subverts logic. It relishes the the logically impossible.

Logic is a prison that hides reality.

Rational thought only deals with the superficial aspects of things. Nonsense, on the other hand, opens up a glimpse of the infinite/ the truth.

Absurd drama subverts logic. It relishes the the logically impossible.

Logic is a prison that hides reality.