Theatre of the Absurd

Question 1

Ionesco’s quote on what the absurd is (french)

Answer 1

Est absurde ce qui n’a pas de but

Question 2

What Ionesco says about theatre (english)

Answer 2

Theatre is for me the outward projection onto the stage of an inner world

Question 3

give 5 main characteristics of the theatre of the absurd

Answer 3

1. portrays human efforts as futile and senseless
2. portrays communication between humans as near impossible
3. prompts the audience to find their own interpretation of the “madness” on stage
4. does not lead logically towards a fixed objective or definable end
5. audience is in suspense as to what is happening and why, not what will happen next

Question 4

name two playwrights that precluded the ToftheA with larger than life productions

Answer 4

Apollinaire and Artaud

Question 5

how does the ToftheA treat language

Answer 5

As insufficient to express true meaning, only in its breakdown can we find reality. The ToftheA exposes the repetitive, senseless and clichéd patterns of our everyday language by exaggerating them

Question 6

give a quote from Esslin that expresses the novelty of language in the ToftheA

Answer 6

It is in its attitude to language that the Theatre of the Absurd is most revolutionary.

Question 7

how does Brecht’s concept of the alienation effect apply to the ToftheA

Answer 7

the bizarreness and confusion of what is happening on stage alienates the audience, so that they cannot connect emotionally with the characters. However, it is in this alienation that they might recognise the underlying relatable themes of the play

Question 8

why are some of these plays labelled anti-plays?

Answer 8

they lack a concrete time or setting and do not follow traditional rules of theatre

Question 9

give a quote from Artaud (in english) that shows his aim for the theatre of cruelty, and why it is better than the previous plays

Answer 9

we have need of a theatre that will awake us: heart and nerves

Question 10

what does Artaud say about silence in the theatre of cruelty

Answer 10

if adequate spaces of silence and stillness can be put in the play, seemingly chaotic and loud scenes can still carry messages

Question 11

what does Artaud say about the preoccupations of the masses

Answer 11

the theatre of cruelty focuses on universal and widespread experiences, rather than personal stories of less significant issues

Question 12

when did Artaud write his essay Le théâtre et son double? and what is the translated english extract from it called?

Answer 12

1933, The Theatre and Cruelty