Samuel Beckett, Absurdism, Existentialism, And Nihilism

Philosophy in the 20th century was something that rocked the world in Pre, During, and Post War Europe. There was much death and question of human mortality and morals. Perfectly fine human beings performing unimaginable atrocities, and then even more average humans suffering against each other. It was an era of hopelessness and despair. Folks were wondering what could this existence come to? What could it call absolve to become? Soren Kierkegaard, Albert Camus, Friedrich Nietzsche, Jean-Paul Sartre and others explored the ideas and schisms that deconstructed the world into base, human-centric concepts. Absurdism, Existentialism, and Nihilism are three concepts that are intrinsically connected as a holy trinity of meaning of 20th century†¦show more content†¦the Theatre of the Absurd strives to express its sense of the senselessness of the human condition and the inadequacy of the rational approach by the open abandonment of rational devices and discursive thought† Ion esco is quoted about what that is absurd: â€Å"Absurd is that which is devoid of purpose [†¦] Cut off from his religious, metaphysical and transcendental roots, man is lost; all his actions have become senseless, absurd, useless.† All three of the playwrights have a majority of works similar to Waiting for Godot’s style of dialogue - rhythmic patterns, nonsensical dialogue, and fugues that tend to have a deeper layer of meaning under the thin skin of the page. They all make the audience look within themselves for the meaning of the work, and then look deeper. The most absurd part of Godot, other than Didi Gogo’s exchanges, is Lucky’s ‘speech.’ LUCKY: Given the Existence as uttered forth in the public works of Puncher and Wattmann of a personal God quaquaquaqua with a white beard quaquaquaqua outside time without extension who from the heights of divine apathia divine athambia divine aphasia loves us dearly with some exceptions for rea sons unknown but time will tell†¦ (29) This goes on for another three pages in a similar style, seamlessly traversing one irreverent topic to another, ‘quaquaquaqua’ to ‘quaquaquaqua’. This is essentially aShow MoreRelatedOverview of Three Interpretations of Samuel Becketts Waiting for Godot3226 Words   |  13 Pages Samuel Beckett wrote Waiting for Godot between October 1948 and January 1949. Since its premiere in January of 1953, it has befuddled and confounded critics and audiences alike. Some find it to be a meandering piece of drivel; others believe it to be genius. Much of the strain between the two sides stems from one simple question. What does this play mean? Even within camps where Waiting for Godot is heralded, the lack of clarity and consensus brings about a tension and discussion that has lastedRead MoreExistentialism vs Essentialism23287 Words   |  94 PagesEssentialism vs. Existentialism Essentialism: A belief that things have a set of characteristics that make them what they are, amp; that the task of science and philosophy is their discovery amp; expression; the doctrine that essence is prior to existence While, Existentialism:A philosophical theory or approach, that emphasizes the existence of the individual person as a free amp; responsible agent, determining their own development through acts of the will. Existentialism * is