Short Note on Absurd Drama

Absurd Drama is a type of drama that became popular in the mid-20th century. The word “absurd” refers to the strange and unreasonable nature of human life. These plays often show how life can seem confusing and meaningless in a world that doesn’t care.

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, absurdity means something that is ridiculous or makes no sense. One of the best-known examples of Absurd Drama is Samuel Beckett’s play Waiting for Godot.

Features of Absurd Drama:

1. Vagrant Characters: The characters in absurd plays often have no family, home, or clear purpose in life. They seem lost and unsure of what they are doing.
2. Failure of Communication: A key part of absurd drama is the failure of people to communicate properly. Modern people are often too focused on themselves, which makes it hard for them to understand or connect with others.
3. Nothingness and Purposelessness: These plays focus on the idea that life has no clear meaning or purpose. After World War II, many people became frustrated and started to think deeply about the emptiness of life.
4. Irrational and Illogical Speech: Absurd plays often have characters who speak in ways that don’t make sense. Their conversations may seem strange and illogical from beginning to end.
5. Tone and Ambiguous Ending: Absurd plays usually have a sad or dark tone. The stories often don’t have clear endings, leaving the audience with questions.

Examples of Absurd Drama:

• Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett
• The Caretaker by Harold Pinter
• The Birthday Party by Harold Pinter

Other famous writers of Absurd Drama include Albert Camus, Eugene Ionesco, and Jean Genet.

Absurd Drama has had a big impact on literature, philosophy, and the arts. It makes people think about the uncertainties and contradictions in human life.