What Factors Led to the Birth of the Theatre of the Absurd?

If you're a student of literature, you might have come across the term "Theatre of the Absurd." British scholar Martin Esslin first used the phrase “theater of the absurd” in a 1961 critical study of several contemporary dramatists, including Irish-born playwright Samuel Beckett and French playwrights Eugène Ionesco, Jean Genet, and Arthur Adamov. So, there's this type of theatre called absurdist theatre that became popular in the mid-20th century. It started in France during the mid-1940s through the 1950s. Basically, the plays in this genre challenged the usual conventions of traditional theatre. They often had weird and illogical situations, unconventional dialogue, and not much of a plot to show how absurd human existence can be.

The term "absurd" came from French thinkers like Albert Camus and Jean-Paul Sartre who used it in the 1940s. They couldn't find a logical explanation for why humans exist and what our purpose is in life. They saw the world as a confusing, unfriendly, and uncaring place, where everything is meaningless. That's why they called it "absurd." The plays were often characterized by a lack of plot, minimalistic sets, and characters that were either comical or surreal. But what led to the birth of this unique style of theatre? In this essay, I will explore some of the factors that contributed to the rise of the Theatre of the Absurd.

Historical and Social Context:

Absurd theatre roots back to late 19th century in French, Germany and Italy. There were several factors, intellectual, philosophical and political that hints at the fundamentally meaningless situation of humans in a confusing, hostile, and indifferent world. There were smoke and it caught fire at the World War. One of the significant factors that led to the ultimate flourish of Theatre of the Absurd was the political and social upheaval in Europe after World War II. Many artists and writers were disillusioned with the world they found themselves in and wanted to express their feelings of despair and alienation. The horrors of the Holocaust and the use of atomic bombs also left a profound impact on the artistic community, which was searching for new ways to reflect the absurdity of modern life. 

Philosophical Underpinnings:

Waiting for Godot,
 a herald for the Theatre of the Absurd.
Festival d'Avignon, dir. Otomar Krejča, 1978.
Image : Wikipedia

The Theatre of the Absurd was also influenced by the philosophical ideas of existentialism, which emphasized the meaninglessness of life and the human search for purpose. Playwrights such as Samuel Beckett, Eugene Ionesco, and Jean Genet were interested in exploring the human condition and the absurdity of existence. They used their plays to question traditional beliefs and societal norms, presenting a bleak view of the world that challenged audiences to confront uncomfortable truths. When the first absurdist plays were performed for the first time, they were quite shocking for the audiences. However, nowadays, the techniques used in these plays have become quite common in avant-garde theater and even some mainstream works. As a matter of fact, many contemporary playwrights have been heavily influenced by the theater of the absurd. Some notable examples of these playwrights include Edward Albee and Sam Shepard from America, Harold Pinter and Tom Stoppard from Britain, Günter Grass and Peter Weiss from Germany, Max Frisch from Switzerland, and Václav Havel from the Czech Republic.

Literary Precedents:

The Theatre of the Absurd was not a completely new phenomenon. We can see signs of the theater of the absurd emerging in various writers and literary movements from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This suggests that the origins of this theatrical style can be traced back to that time period. It had its roots in earlier literary movements, such as Dadaism and Surrealism, which sought to disrupt conventional thinking and challenge artistic traditions. Playwrights such as Alfred Jarry (Ubu roi 1896; translated 1951), Bertolt Brecht and Antonin Artaud (Le théâtre et son double 1938; The Theater and its Double, 1958) also paved the way for the Theatre of the Absurd with their use of surrealism and unconventional narrative techniques. Alfred Jarry was noted for his use of nonsense language and mocking of theatrical conventions. Brecht introduced alienation  and Artaud dragged audience into the plot.  added to that bizarre, disjointed, or illogical surrealism also made its structures. 

Conclusion:

The Theatre of the Absurd emerged as a response to the political, social, and philosophical upheaval of the mid-20th century. It challenged traditional theatre and literary conventions and paved the way for new forms of artistic expression. As students, it is essential to understand the historical and cultural context that gave birth to this genre, as well as the philosophical and literary influences that shaped it. By exploring these factors, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the Theatre of the Absurd and its enduring legacy.

Ardhendu De

Reference 

1. De, A.,(2011, February 1). Theatre of the Absurd- A Critical Survey. Theatre of the Absurd- a Critical Survey. https://ardhendude.blogspot.com/2011/02/write-short-note-on-theatre-of-absurd.html

2. Theatre of the Absurd | Definition, Characteristics, Examples, & Facts. (n.d.). Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/art/Theatre-of-the-Absurd

3. Theatre of the Absurd - Wikipedia. (n.d.). Theatre of the Absurd - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theatre_of_the_Absurd