Explore tens of thousands of sets crafted by our community.
Existentialism in Theatre
8
Flashcards
0/8
Endgame
Author: Samuel Beckett Synopsis: In 'Endgame', the characters Hamm, Clov, Nagg, and Nell are trapped in a relentless routine in a shelter after some apocalyptic event. The play delves into existentialist themes such as the absurdity of existence, the sense of entrapment, and the inevitability of death.
The Birthday Party
Author: Harold Pinter Synopsis: 'The Birthday Party' revolves around Stanley, a pianist who becomes the victim of two mysterious men's intimidation. The lack of explanation for the men's motives and Stanley's past reflects existential themes of uncertainty, the inscrutable nature of existence, and the fear of non-being.
The Chairs
Author: Eugène Ionesco Synopsis: 'The Chairs' is a tragic farce about an old couple who invite many guests to hear an orator's message which could save humanity. As guests (invisible to the audience) arrive, the couple's reality blurs, raising existential questions about the meaning of life and the struggle for recognition and purpose.
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead
Author: Tom Stoppard Synopsis: The play follows minor characters from Shakespeare's 'Hamlet', Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, who grapple with understanding their existence and destiny. Their constant bewilderment and lack of control over their fate illuminate existential concerns about life's unpredictability and the search for meaning.
No Exit
Author: Jean-Paul Sartre Synopsis: In 'No Exit,' three characters find themselves in a room in hell, where they confront the existential notion that 'hell is other people.' Their interactions reveal that they are the source of each other's torment, thus exploring the existential theme of personal responsibility and the hellish consequences of one’s choices.
Waiting for Godot
Author: Samuel Beckett Synopsis: 'Waiting for Godot' explores the absurdity of life through two characters, Vladimir and Estragon, who wait indefinitely for a person named Godot. Their ceaseless waiting and the uncertainty of Godot's arrival underscore existential themes like the meaningless of life and the importance of personal interpretation.
The Stranger
Author: Albert Camus (adapted into a play) Synopsis: Originally a novel, 'The Stranger' and its stage adaptations focus on the character Meursault, whose indifferent attitude towards life epitomizes the idea of the Absurd, and his subsequent alienation and execution reflect on the existential themes of absurdity, the lack of inherent meaning, and the importance of personal choice.
The Bald Soprano
Author: Eugène Ionesco Synopsis: 'The Bald Soprano' parodies British suburban life, notably through nonsensical dialogue and illogical situations. It showcases the existential dilemma of human communication's failure and the breakdown of social conventions, reflecting the theme of life's intrinsic absurdity.
© Hypatia.Tech. 2024 All rights reserved.