Photo AI
Study SOURCE A below and answer the question that follows - NSC Dramatic Arts - Question 1 - 2018 - Paper 1
Question 1
Study SOURCE A below and answer the question that follows. SOURCE A 1. MAN IS NOTHING ELSE BUT WHAT HE MAKES OF HIMSELF. SUCH IS THE FIRST PRINCIPLE OF EXISTENTIAL... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Study SOURCE A below and answer the question that follows - NSC Dramatic Arts - Question 1 - 2018 - Paper 1
Step 1
The 20th Century Theatre Movement you studied:
Answer
For this essay, I will focus on the Theatre of the Absurd, a movement defined by its exploration of existential themes and the inherent meaninglessness of life. This movement is characterized by plays that depict the absurdity of human existence and challenge societal norms.
Step 2
The quotation(s) you selected from SOURCE A
Answer
I have selected the following quotations:
- "MAN IS NOTHING ELSE BUT WHAT HE MAKES OF HIMSELF. SUCH IS THE FIRST PRINCIPLE OF EXISTENTIALISM." - Jean Paul Sartre
- "LIFE ISN'T ABOUT FINDING YOURSELF. LIFE IS ABOUT CREATING YOURSELF." - George Bernard Shaw
Step 3
Specific examples from the play text you studied which support your answer
Answer
In Samuel Beckett's play 'Waiting for Godot', the characters Vladimir and Estragon exemplify the essence of existentialism articulated by Sartre's quote. They spend their days waiting for someone named Godot, symbolizing the search for purpose in a chaotic world. Ultimately, their inability to take significant action emphasizes the idea that individuals are responsible for creating their own meaning in life.
Additionally, in 'The Birthday Party' by Harold Pinter, the characters experience a collapse of identity and clarity, echoing Nietzsche's sentiment that people resist confronting the truth. The absurd interactions and lack of cohesive plot illustrate the turmoil of human existence and the struggle against an indifferent universe.
Both plays resonate with the idea presented by Shaw that life is about creating oneself, as the characters seek identity amid absurd circumstances, portraying the necessity of self-definition in a world devoid of inherent meaning.