This chapter presents the following content: Absurdist drama, dialogue and language/humor of absurdist drama, plot & structure of absurdist drama, themes in waiting for godot, aspects to consider. | DRAMA II MODERN DRAMA Lecture 17 SYNOPSIS Absurdist Drama Dialogue and Language/Humor of Absurdist Drama Plot & Structure of Absurdist Drama THEMES in Waiting for Godot Aspects to Consider ABSURDIST DRAMA ABSURDIST DRAMA Waiting for Godot is a two-act stage drama classified as a tragicomedy. In 1965, critic Martin Eslin coined the term theater of the absurd to describe Godot and other plays like it. As a result, these plays also became known as absurdist dramas. ABSURDIST DRAMA A group of dramatists in 1940's Paris believed life is without apparent meaning or purpose; it is, in short, absurd, as French playwright and novelist Albert Camus (1913-1960) wrote in a 1942 essay, "The Myth of Sisyphus." Paradoxically, the only certainty in life is uncertainty, the absurdists believed. An absurdist drama is a play that depicts life as meaningless, senseless, uncertain. For example, an absurdist's story generally ends up where it started; nothing has been accomplished and nothing gained. The characters may be uncertain of time and place, and they are virtually the same at the end of the play as they were at the beginning. DIALOGUE AND LANGUAGE/HUMOR OF ABSURDIST DRAMA DIALOGUE AND LANGUAGE OF ABSURDIST DRAMA The language in an absurdist drama often goes nowhere. Characters misunderstand or misinterpret one another, frequently responding to a statement or a question with a non sequitur or a ludicrous comment. DIALOGUE AND LANGUAGE OF ABSURDIST DRAMA Estragon, who has a sore foot, is attempting to remove his boot. Though he tugs hard, it won't come off. In frustration, he says, "Nothing to be done." Vladimir replies, "I'm beginning to come round to that opinion. All my life I've tried to put it from me, saying, Vladimir, be reasonable, you haven't yet tried everything. And I resumed the struggle.“ In Act II, the two men agree that they are happy in spite of their problems. Then Estragon asks: "What do we do, now that we are happy?" "Wait for . | DRAMA II MODERN DRAMA Lecture 17 SYNOPSIS Absurdist Drama Dialogue and Language/Humor of Absurdist Drama Plot & Structure of Absurdist Drama THEMES in Waiting for Godot Aspects to Consider ABSURDIST DRAMA ABSURDIST DRAMA Waiting for Godot is a two-act stage drama classified as a tragicomedy. In 1965, critic Martin Eslin coined the term theater of the absurd to describe Godot and other plays like it. As a result, these plays also became known as absurdist dramas. ABSURDIST DRAMA A group of dramatists in 1940's Paris believed life is without apparent meaning or purpose; it is, in short, absurd, as French playwright and novelist Albert Camus (1913-1960) wrote in a 1942 essay, "The Myth of Sisyphus." Paradoxically, the only certainty in life is uncertainty, the absurdists believed. An absurdist drama is a play that depicts life as meaningless, senseless, uncertain. For example, an absurdist's story generally ends up where it started; nothing has been accomplished and .
