A man finds himself in a rather strange and challenging situation. In a politically and socially changing landscape, he is striving to maintain his independence and identity. And here comes the absurd part - all those he knows suddenly turn into rhinoceroses. This play, while having an element of absurdity drizzled throughout (or perhaps it is the very root of the play), is not as overwhelmingly absurd as "Bald Soprano". Communication and confusion remain central focal points. However, they do not overshadow the characters' personalities and development. The man's journey in this topsy-turvy world is both fascinating and thought-provoking. We see him grappling with the strange transformation of those around him, trying to hold on to who he is. It makes us wonder about our own identities in a changing world and how we would react if faced with such an absurd situation.

GUESS WHAT, FOLKS? BEHIND OUR BACKS - WHILE WE WERE SLEEPING - THESE GROSS, ARMOURED, RAMPAGING ANIMALS WERE MULTIPLYING...

Who ARE these Rhinos, for Ionesco? My guess is that they're simply the fascist revenge for the fact of Relativity - which, alas, includes Moral Relativity. They represent the forces that seek to impose their rigid and unjust views on the world.

Now, as many of you know, I believe that God is love in the form of pure being. This faith has been a guiding light in my life, shaping my perspective and influencing my actions.

And that faith right at the outset of adulthood made me human-all-too-human, as Nietzsche says. It made me vulnerable to the complexities and challenges of the world, but it also gave me the strength to persevere.

But now it has made me relax into the general peace of unvarnished simplicity, within the more jarringly complex, though still human-all-too-human affectivity I had previously known. I have learned to embrace the simplicity of life and find peace in the midst of chaos.

That too-human over-complex affectivity got me into loads of trouble in my life, like it did to the character Berenger. And Berenger is Ionesco’s doppelgänger. He represents the struggles and contradictions within all of us.

Robert Craft, in one of his memoirs of the sixties, describes Ionesco as an exceptionally maladroit intellectual who sometimes had to sit on his hands at dinner parties to avoid letting them give his feelings away. This shows the depth of Ionesco's inner turmoil and his struggle to express himself.

I, too, being blessed (yes, blessed!) with Asperger’s Syndrome from an early age, always hid my feelings to avoid being sucked into my interlocutors’ garden paths. I have had to learn to navigate the social world in my own way, relying on my own instincts and intuitions.

At times, in compliance with more authoritative folks’ draconian demands on me, I was compelled by law to allow them to force changes within myself. But these attempts never worked, Deo gratias. I remained true to myself and my beliefs.

Put it down to my elderly soporific sloth, lassitude, and pensiveness, which was the undoing of my conditioning, for it never worked. I have come to realize that true change comes from within and cannot be imposed from without.

One very good reason the rules never worked with me is my faith in a steadily loving God. This faith has given me the courage to resist the pressures and demands of the world and to follow my own path.

And that love has now more positively encouraged the insight in me that God doesn’t much like rhinos. For the rhinos are the Pharisees who brought charges against Him, and the crafty money changers whom He drove out the Temple - and our modern social conditioners. They represent the forces of evil and injustice in the world.

I believe He forgives them, but that they must nonetheless pay for their deeply entrenched habits and their leading others onto their questionable garden paths. We are all responsible for our actions and must face the consequences.

But guys like the central character of the play, Berenger, believe in a nonresisting variety of love and forbearance, and will get off more lightly. He shows us that there is another way to live, a way of love and acceptance.

But even the concept of Hell, as Pope Francis has on occasion implied, may be only that - a concept. Who knows what dreams may come? Still, concepts kill. We must be careful not to let our beliefs and ideas become weapons that harm others.

And more to the point, hey, look - if God is love, maybe judgement itself is simply and very naturally implied as such in, for example the famous words in scripture, “they (obviously, being Rhinos) will (simply) not enter into My Rest.” This shows us that there are consequences for our actions and that we must strive to live a life that is pleasing to God.

Cause if a raging rhino would be forcibly excluded by dint of good taste from a pricey social event, it sure as heck won’t be allowed near Heaven! And will just be left eternally all alone in its smoking rage... We must not let our anger and rage consume us, but rather strive to find peace and harmony within ourselves.

But, you know, we ALL have a raging rhino within us, dying to transform us into its own image. And own irrational impulses, given credence, can convict us. Salvation is a double-edged sword. We must be vigilant and strive to overcome our inner demons.

We must BEAR that Rhino. For he is the beginning of Necessary Purgatorial Pain, and Salvation! We must face our challenges and struggles head-on and use them as opportunities for growth and transformation.

We have to be like Berenger and fill our lives with constant simplicity, candour and love. These are the qualities that will help us to overcome the forces of evil and injustice in the world and to find true happiness and fulfillment.

Those three are the Best Available Rhino Repellents… And God gives them to us for FREE. We must be grateful for these gifts and use them to make the world a better place.

Rhinoceros is an extremely hilarious play that, simultaneously, holds significant political importance. It is truly a nice read for those who have an interest in absurdistic plays.

As I delved into this play, I found myself posing a profound question to myself. That is, in the end, how much choice do we really have when it comes to belonging to the Rhinoceros or not? In this particular context, the only alternative seems to be loneliness and the heart-wrenching experience of losing the one you love.

This thought-provoking aspect of the play makes it not just a source of entertainment but also a means to explore deeper themes about human nature, our choices, and the consequences that follow. It forces us to reflect on our own lives and the decisions we make, especially when faced with difficult and seemingly impossible alternatives.

The play Rhinoceros thus offers a unique and engaging perspective that keeps the reader hooked from start to finish.

This is the most hilarious book I have ever read!!

It truly had me in stitches from start to finish. The author's unique sense of humor shines through every page, making it impossible to put down. The characters are vivid and comical, and their antics had me laughing out loud. The story is filled with unexpected twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat, while also providing plenty of opportunities for laughter. Whether it's the witty dialogue or the absurd situations, this book has something for everyone. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good laugh. It's the perfect escape from reality and will leave you with a smile on your face. So, if you're in need of a good dose of humor, pick up this book and get ready to have a hilarious time!

Apparently, this is becoming true, so it is no longer "absurdism".

It seems that what was once considered far-fetched or ridiculous is now coming to pass. This could be in various aspects of life, such as technology, society, or the environment.

The idea that something was absurd might have been based on our limited understanding or the prevailing norms and beliefs of the time. However, as the world changes and new possibilities emerge, what was once seen as absurd can become a reality.

This shift challenges our preconceived notions and forces us to reevaluate our perspectives. It also opens up new opportunities for innovation and growth.

Instead of dismissing something as absurd, we should be more open-minded and consider the potential for it to become true. After all, many of the greatest advancements in history were once thought to be impossible or absurd.

By embracing change and being willing to explore new ideas, we can better adapt to the evolving world around us and create a more fulfilling and meaningful future.

The plays are very different indeed. Each one has its own unique charm and characteristics. Especially the latter two plays, they present distinct styles and themes. However, among them, I have a particular fondness for the symbolism in Rhinoceros. The use of symbolism in this play adds a layer of depth and complexity to the story. It allows the audience to explore and interpret the various meanings hidden within the narrative. The rhinoceros itself can be seen as a symbol of many things, perhaps representing the power and force that can overtake a society or an individual. Through the use of such symbolism, the play engages the viewers on a deeper level, making them think about the broader implications and messages it conveys.

I truly relished reading all three of these plays. The experience was both captivating and thought-provoking. However, my desire extends beyond mere reading. I would be absolutely thrilled to witness any of them being performed on stage. Among these, "Rhinoceros" holds a special allure for me.

For these plays, I firmly believe that actually seeing their stories unfold live would offer a completely different and more enjoyable experience compared to simply reading the texts. The energy, the emotions, and the physical presence of the actors would bring the characters and the plots to life in a way that words on a page cannot fully capture.

Watching a play on stage allows the audience to become fully immersed in the world that the playwright has created. The visual and auditory elements, such as the set design, lighting, and sound effects, enhance the overall atmosphere and add another layer of depth to the story.

In conclusion, while reading these plays was a great pleasure, I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to see them performed live and experience the magic of the stage.

Rhinoceros is truly a remarkable and thought-provoking work. It is filled with doubt and imagination, presenting existentialism in its purest form.

The Leader, with a rating of 4.5, also offers something of great value. It likely delves into themes that are both relevant and engaging.

The Future Lies In Eggs, rated 4.0, is also a notable piece. Although the last two works may seem to lack something, they are still quite good.

Perhaps they could have been developed further or explored more deeply, but nonetheless, they have their own merits.

Together, these works contribute to a rich and diverse body of literature that challenges our thinking and expands our understanding of the human condition.

They invite us to question our beliefs, our values, and our place in the world.

Whether we agree or disagree with the ideas presented, they force us to engage and to think critically.

In this way, they serve as a reminder of the power of literature to inspire, to educate, and to transform.

Rhinoceros by Eugen Ionesco

My name is Ionescu, and unfortunately, Eugen Ionesco and I share the same name, though we have no relation. Ionescu is as common as Smith in my country.

I don't have a particular fondness for the absurd theater. However, I did attend two performances of Eugen Ionesco's plays, The Lesson and The Chairs, which I thoroughly enjoyed. This was because the stage productions were inventive, dynamic, witty, and inspiring.

On my own, with just an audio recording, I'm not into Eugen Ionesco. At least not this morning. I have The Lesson lined up for another day, and I'll see how that goes.

I think I've lived in the midst of the absurd for so long that I have no particular urge to listen to more of it. First, there was the communist regime, which was the epitome of the absurd. George Orwell couldn't have described it better with his statement: "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."
When you live in a supposedly egalitarian society and yet find yourself at the bottom of the pyramid while the fat pigs are at the top, you're plunged into the middle of the irrational. And when you hear about a rhinoceros running in the street, you don't react in the proper way.
Come to think of it, it does sound funny, and I probably should have taken more of the impact in. But I didn't.
In the play, the characters discuss the fact that a cat has four legs, so those who have four legs are cats. Therefore, a dog is a cat, and somehow Picasso is a cat... or something like that. I confess that the play lost me somewhere between the dog being a cat and Picasso being some weird creation.
I'm not criticizing; that would be preposterous. This is just how I have, or rather haven't, taken in Rhinoceros.
I meet these kinds of people every day. I wish I could stumble not upon, but near some real rhinoceros because the beast is gorgeous. Not what it represents in the play or what the play conveys to my imagination, which is some weird, inappropriate presence roaming the streets and public life.
When I ride my bike in the city, these people-rhinos come dangerously close to killing me with their cars. Why? Because they are people-rhinos, mutants.
The absurd play we live in today may take a turn for the positive with the arrival of a normal, if atypical, leader.
I pray to God, whom I'm still looking for, to make my countrymen elect Johannis as president. He is the opposition to the rhino culture, also known as PSD, barons, corruption, incompetence, and nepotism... just to name a few.
Rhinoceros does prove to be a powerful message, and I realize that when I think about all the things it means. The rhinoceros I know? There's a long list, starting with Ponta, Mazare, Oprisan, Oprea, and even people in my gated community.
Radu Beligan, the oldest actor still on stage at ninety-five (they say), didn't make me any happier with the play. When compared to George Constantin, it feels like he has a speech impediment. His voice sounds intellectual and refined in a way, but it's still an impediment to a good listening experience.

www.realini.blogspot.ro

Have yourself an absurdist little Christmas!

I made an attempt to recreate the profound experience that I had several Christmas Eves ago when I first read Waiting for Godot. However, Ionesco's Rhinoceros simply didn't manage to make the cut. I did enjoy the play, but it appeared to be too long for its own benefit. It wasn't as compact or effective as his remarkable play The Lesson. Nevertheless, it still outshone Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John.

Perhaps next year I'll find a more suitable absurdist work to enhance my Christmas Eve. Or maybe I'll just stick with the classics and re-read Waiting for Godot for the umpteenth time. Either way, I'm sure it'll be an interesting and thought-provoking evening. After all, that's what Christmas is all about, right? Spending time with loved ones, reflecting on the meaning of life, and indulging in a little bit of absurdity.

Ionesco's remarkable talent lies in his ability to distill highly complex and challenging themes within a dramatic work, all while effectively educating and entertaining the audience. This showcases his profound understanding of the psychology of social interaction, the imperative to rebel, and the inherent tension between these two aspects.

"Rhinoceros" is an absolute delight. It is a seamless blend of sharp satire that feels like affectionate ribbing, yet it also reveals itself as a sobering examination of how easily words and thoughts can be manipulated, without the overwhelming despair typically associated with such subject matter. One of my favorite exchanges occurs in Act I, where people mindlessly repeat each other's words or phrases without truly comprehending their meaning. At the same time, they repeatedly use words and ideas that are not their own, simply to argue a point, "win" an argument, and maintain their tribal identity at all costs. In doing so, they become increasingly closed-minded, despite appearing to be open-minded.

However, Ionesco also makes a pointed observation that the words his characters use often defy the very definition of the chosen word, and the meaning the speaker implies is continuously distorted or appropriated to the extent that the original meaning becomes meaningless through this artifice. This is because the speakers themselves lack true meaning. It is no wonder, then, that those who are unable to think for themselves are easily swept up in herd mentality.

And yet, the lone man who remains at the end of the play is not a hero, for he too lacks meaning. How can he have meaning if he is the only one left? Thus, he is no more or less absurd than the rampaging rhinoceroses galloping through his city.

"The Leader" shares the same ludicrousness as "Rhinoceros" but lacks substance. Instead of having his characters use words to define and redefine their meaning to suit the purpose of winning an argument, the characters in "The Leader" simply repeat the same phrases over and over again, mixing up the combinations and themselves. It almost feels unnecessarily long, as the point becomes clear fairly early on. However, I understand that the point is to illustrate the disturbing cycle of propaganda, which involves repeating something ad nauseam until one no longer hears it and simply performs like an automaton.

"The Future is In Eggs or It Takes All Sorts to Make a World" is not without interest. It has an intriguing premise that the meaning within movements themselves is not as important as populating the masses with "all sorts" in general. Perhaps this is the best example of a play that needs to be experienced live to fully appreciate its impact and humor. On paper, it becomes slightly tiresome once the flurry of "eggs" begins to appear.

Overall, this is a good selection, mainly because "Rhinoceros" gets everything right, while "The Leader" and "The Future is in Eggs or It Takes All Sorts to Make a World" show the reader how Ionesco honed his craft in these plays to create the magnificent "Rhinoceros".

In the late summer of 1983, my father recommended that I read this play. At that time, I was not quite thirteen years old. Due to my inherent loathing of mindless conformity and blatant disregard for so-called "peer pressure", I had already started to encounter significant difficulties in social interactions. I really have no idea what my father was thinking. However, hard as it may be to believe, I'm fairly certain that he didn't anticipate that after reading this play, I would be inspired to be even more obstinate and blatant in my eccentricity.

Every young individual who feels like a misfit or an outcast ought to read this play and find courage. As a punk rock band (whose name escapes my memory) proclaimed around 1987: "Most People Are Dicks!" What I'm attempting to convey is that Ionesco's message in "Rhinoceros" is: BE TRUE TO YOURSELF; DON'T BE A LEMMING - CONFORMITY IS THE FIRST STEP TOWARD TOTALITARIANISM!!!

This play serves as a powerful reminder that we should not blindly follow the crowd but rather stay true to our own beliefs and values. It encourages us to embrace our individuality and resist the pressures of conformity that can lead to a loss of freedom and independence.