Absurdism, Philosophy, Philosophy Video Research; Waiting for Godot
Let's think about this (cause you might find it useful):
After watching the last of our video samples/models, we will choose a philosopher to examine, research, etc. and create a short film extolling its virtues and ideas.
In addition, after we do all this, and before we move to the lab to conduct our research, I want to introduce you to Samuel Beckett--our Irish absurdist.
Samuel Beckett greatly influenced absurdism or theater of the absurd (as termed by literary critic Martin Esslin).
Perhaps one of the strangest plays you are likely to see (there are several, actually) is Samuel Beckett's End Game.
The story involves Hamm, a blind old invalid unable to stand, and his servant Clov, who cannot sit down. They live by the sea in a tiny house. The dialogue suggests that there is nothing left outside—no sea, no sun, no clouds. The two mutually dependent characters have been fighting for years and continue to do so as the play progresses. Clov always wants to leave but never seems to be able (similar to the characters in Waiting for Godot). Also present on stage are Hamm's legless parents Nagg and Nell, who live in trash cans upstage who also bicker continuously or talk inanely.
"The English title is taken from the last part of a chess game, when there are very few pieces left. Beckett himself was known to be an avid chess player; the struggle of Hamm to accept the end can be compared to the refusal of novice players to admit defeat, whereas experts normally resign after a serious blunder or setback."
Endgame lacks action, in Beckett's typical absurdist style. Critics have compared this play with Shakespeare's Hamlet (the protagonist Hamm, for example, is thought to be a shortened version of that name).
The implication in the play is that the characters live in an unchanging, static state. Each day contains the actions and reactions of the day before, until each event takes on an almost ritualistic quality. It is made clear, through the text, that the characters have a past (most notably through Nagg and Nell who conjure up memories of tandem rides in the Ardennes). However, there is no indication that they may have a future. Even the death of Nell, which occurs towards the end of the play, is greeted with a lack of surprise." The play suggests the futility of life, and the random boredom, argument for argument sake, and the waste of human effort.
This scene occurs just after Clov has his opening soliloquy, then is joined by Hamm, who establishes the master/servant relationship between the two characters. Nell and Nagg will appear half-way through the scene to complete the company.
Here's the continuation of the scene. If you like what you're seeing, feel free to watch the rest of the show. Check the sidebar on Youtube to see the continuing scenes.
Beckett's best known play is Waiting for Godot. You can find the rest of the play in the sidebar. Please read the script Waiting for Godot for Monday, April 27.
Waiting for Elmo
HOMEWORK: Research your philosopher. Create a short 1-2 page "script" summarizing the key points in the philosopher's ideas, and be prepared to record this speech, add video or pictures, and create a short film.
Also, please read Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett--discussion/quiz Monday, April 27.
After watching the last of our video samples/models, we will choose a philosopher to examine, research, etc. and create a short film extolling its virtues and ideas.
In addition, after we do all this, and before we move to the lab to conduct our research, I want to introduce you to Samuel Beckett--our Irish absurdist.
Samuel Beckett greatly influenced absurdism or theater of the absurd (as termed by literary critic Martin Esslin).
Perhaps one of the strangest plays you are likely to see (there are several, actually) is Samuel Beckett's End Game.
The story involves Hamm, a blind old invalid unable to stand, and his servant Clov, who cannot sit down. They live by the sea in a tiny house. The dialogue suggests that there is nothing left outside—no sea, no sun, no clouds. The two mutually dependent characters have been fighting for years and continue to do so as the play progresses. Clov always wants to leave but never seems to be able (similar to the characters in Waiting for Godot). Also present on stage are Hamm's legless parents Nagg and Nell, who live in trash cans upstage who also bicker continuously or talk inanely.
"The English title is taken from the last part of a chess game, when there are very few pieces left. Beckett himself was known to be an avid chess player; the struggle of Hamm to accept the end can be compared to the refusal of novice players to admit defeat, whereas experts normally resign after a serious blunder or setback."
Endgame lacks action, in Beckett's typical absurdist style. Critics have compared this play with Shakespeare's Hamlet (the protagonist Hamm, for example, is thought to be a shortened version of that name).
The implication in the play is that the characters live in an unchanging, static state. Each day contains the actions and reactions of the day before, until each event takes on an almost ritualistic quality. It is made clear, through the text, that the characters have a past (most notably through Nagg and Nell who conjure up memories of tandem rides in the Ardennes). However, there is no indication that they may have a future. Even the death of Nell, which occurs towards the end of the play, is greeted with a lack of surprise." The play suggests the futility of life, and the random boredom, argument for argument sake, and the waste of human effort.
This scene occurs just after Clov has his opening soliloquy, then is joined by Hamm, who establishes the master/servant relationship between the two characters. Nell and Nagg will appear half-way through the scene to complete the company.
Here's the continuation of the scene. If you like what you're seeing, feel free to watch the rest of the show. Check the sidebar on Youtube to see the continuing scenes.
Beckett's best known play is Waiting for Godot. You can find the rest of the play in the sidebar. Please read the script Waiting for Godot for Monday, April 27.
Waiting for Elmo
HOMEWORK: Research your philosopher. Create a short 1-2 page "script" summarizing the key points in the philosopher's ideas, and be prepared to record this speech, add video or pictures, and create a short film.
Also, please read Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett--discussion/quiz Monday, April 27.
Comments