Waiting For Godot
Key Points
IEB
Dramatic Arts
,WAITING FOR GODOT- SAMUAL
BECKETT
Terminology
· Nihilism (Nietzche) “God is dead”
· Brechtian theatre:
1. narrator
2. speaking to audiences
3. didactic
4. character
5. Characters are representational
·
Existentialism: pessimistic view of man’s
existence= no purpose at all in man’s life,
totally absurd ( what is the purpose of
human existence)
· Surrealism:
1. Plots are often non-linear or even circular.
2. depicts the subconscious experience.
3. moody tone and disjointed structure
, 4. sometimes imposing a unifying idea.
Absurdism - Absurdist Tragicomedy.
De nition: Theatre of the Absurd is a label
given to irrational, illogical plays that often
feature extreme exaggerations, surrealism and
symbolism to make a point about our chaotic
world or the meaninglessness of life.
· Unusual form of plays: directly aim to startle
the viewer and shake him out of his
comfortable, conventional life of everyday
concerns.
· Surreal, illogical, pointless
· Sabotages logic. Enjoys the unexpected
and logically.
· Impossible
· Presents a pattern of poetic images, uses
visual elements, movement, light.
· Lyrical theatre which uses abstract scenic
effects
· Nothing is accomplished and nothing
gained.
fi
Key Points
IEB
Dramatic Arts
,WAITING FOR GODOT- SAMUAL
BECKETT
Terminology
· Nihilism (Nietzche) “God is dead”
· Brechtian theatre:
1. narrator
2. speaking to audiences
3. didactic
4. character
5. Characters are representational
·
Existentialism: pessimistic view of man’s
existence= no purpose at all in man’s life,
totally absurd ( what is the purpose of
human existence)
· Surrealism:
1. Plots are often non-linear or even circular.
2. depicts the subconscious experience.
3. moody tone and disjointed structure
, 4. sometimes imposing a unifying idea.
Absurdism - Absurdist Tragicomedy.
De nition: Theatre of the Absurd is a label
given to irrational, illogical plays that often
feature extreme exaggerations, surrealism and
symbolism to make a point about our chaotic
world or the meaninglessness of life.
· Unusual form of plays: directly aim to startle
the viewer and shake him out of his
comfortable, conventional life of everyday
concerns.
· Surreal, illogical, pointless
· Sabotages logic. Enjoys the unexpected
and logically.
· Impossible
· Presents a pattern of poetic images, uses
visual elements, movement, light.
· Lyrical theatre which uses abstract scenic
effects
· Nothing is accomplished and nothing
gained.
fi
