Original scientific paper

SLAWOMIR MROŽEK AND THE THEATRE OF THE ABSURD

Mirna Sindičić Sabljo

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to analyse whether the Polish post-war dramatist Slawomir Mrożek could be considered as a representative of the Theatre of the Absurd, the fact on which literary critics insisted for decades. The paper will focus on the analysis of the differences between the western and eastern European versions of the Theatre of the Absurd, why Mrożek's one-act plays could fit into that category and in what way they differ form the plays of the best-known dramatists of the Theatre of the Absurd. Through an overview of the post-war Polish theatre, the reception of western dramatists of the Absurd in Poland, and the role which Martin Esslin played in Mrożek's reception in Western Europe, the paper will try to show that Slawomir Mrożek, regardless of numerous similarities, could not be considered as a typical representative of the Theatre of the Absurd. Mrożek uses the absurd and the grotesque in order to unmask the unfavourable circumstances in Polish society so that he could, avoiding censorship, at the same time, criticise and condemn the totalitarian regime.

Keywords

absurd; grotesque; Theatre of the Absurd, Polish theatre; Slawomir Mrożek

Hrčak ID:

79381

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/79381

Publication date:

8.3.2012.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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