Three absurd dramas about the alienation of man, herd behavior, and from a certain perspective perhaps also about authoritarian regimes. Five stars for the longest Rhinoceros. Ionesco managed to perfectly utilize the space created by the absurdity of the plot to show how people are brutally skinned and gradually cease to be human beings, first inside and then outside. Three and a half for the other two one-act plays. Their message was clear and well presented, but the plays themselves were rather rushed and repetitive (which was perhaps the intention), so it was a bit boring to read (but quite bearable considering the length of these works).

Rhinoceros is an outstanding allegorical theater play.

It is highly subversive, challenging social pressure, mass brainwashing, and animalism.

The call not to conform to an animalistic society subjects the audience to a significant moral test.

Some of the questions that emerge during this magnificent literary work are: Should one conform or not? Should one rebel or not?

It makes people ponder their own role in society and the insanity of the social hierarchy.

It is truly brilliant.

The play forces us to confront the uncomfortable truths about our society and our place within it.

It challenges us to think deeply about the choices we make and the values we uphold.

Rhinoceros is not just a play; it is a powerful commentary on the human condition.

It has the ability to make us question our assumptions and to see the world in a new light.

Overall, it is a remarkable work of art that leaves a lasting impression on its viewers.

If you can get a hold of the movie, that's good too. Watching a movie can be a great form of entertainment. It allows you to escape into different worlds and experience various emotions.

There are many different genres of movies to choose from, such as action, comedy, drama, and romance. Each genre offers something unique and can appeal to different tastes.

When you watch a movie, you can also learn a lot. You can gain insights into different cultures, historical events, and human nature. Movies can also inspire you and make you think about things in a new way.

So, if you have the opportunity to watch a movie, go for it! It can be a fun and rewarding experience.

Rhinocerous is an extremely hysterical example of absurdist theatre.

It not only offers a neat interpretation of the Orestes and Elektra story but also serves as a metaphorical representation of the Nazi occupation of France.

Interestingly, I wrote my senior paper on this very topic, along with Sartre's The Flies.

The play presents a world where the characters gradually transform into rhinoceroses, symbolizing the loss of individuality and the power of conformity.

By using this absurd and exaggerated premise, the author effectively critiques the human tendency to blindly follow the crowd and abandon one's principles.

The connection to the Nazi occupation is evident in the way the characters are pressured to conform to the new order, even if it means sacrificing their own humanity.

Rhinocerous thus becomes a powerful and thought-provoking work that explores the themes of identity, morality, and the impact of totalitarianism.

What a fun little book!

This was my first foray into the world of absurdist playwriting, and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. The unique and often unexpected nature of the stories really kept me engaged from start to finish.

However, I did have one small complaint. They included “The Future is in Eggs” without its prequel. I'm not sure who thought that was a good idea. It left me feeling a bit confused and longing for more context.

I guess I'll have to do some research and look up the preceding one to fully understand the significance of this particular story.

Overall, though, I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for something different and entertaining. It's a great introduction to the world of absurdist playwriting and is sure to leave you with a smile on your face.

What you have here is truly a remarkable and extensive collection of plays.

It is curated from the works of one of the most outstanding absurdist writers in the history of literature.

This writer has a unique and captivating style that challenges the traditional norms of theater and takes the audience on a journey into the realm of the absurd.

The plays in this collection are filled with unexpected twists, strange characters, and dialogues that seem to make no sense at first but gradually reveal deeper meanings and themes.

Each play is a work of art that invites the reader or viewer to question their perception of reality and explore the boundaries of human imagination.

Whether you are a fan of absurdist theater or simply looking for something new and different to experience, this collection is sure to leave a lasting impression.

I find myself echoing many of the sentiments expressed by other reviewers. The theater of the absurd is indeed a challenging concept to fully grasp. However, once one manages to buy into the idea, it truly starts to work its magic. In fact, it is even more relevant in today's times, not only from a political perspective but also culturally.

It is important to approach the reading of works related to the theater of the absurd with care and not rush through it too quickly. It is quite easy to read it at a fast pace and still derive some enjoyment from it. Nevertheless, by doing so, one may unfortunately miss out on some of the key points and lines that hold great significance.

Taking the time to truly immerse oneself in the text and understand the underlying themes and ideas is essential to fully appreciate the beauty and depth of the theater of the absurd. It requires a certain level of patience and an open mind, but the rewards are well worth it.

Loved so much, all the things it made me think about:

1) Rhinoceros: Incredible. It is truly brilliant, humorous, and clever. The fully formed complex characters interact in interesting ways and have hilarious arguments. I loved how you're not sure what's actually happening, or why, or what the Rhinoceros represent.

Ionesco takes the piss out of everything, yet he uses absurdity and humour to lighten the dark reality. The themes of superiority and nationalism are carried throughout. Berenger, who is judged for being a will-lacking drunkard, is made to feel inferior by the ambitious career-driven Jean, who is also a white supremacist. It was clever how it makes race superiority look completely idiotic.

The loss of humanity in people becoming reactionary rhinoceros is significant. When Berenger criticizes what is happening, he is judged and further isolated until left completely alone. B argues with Jean, who at this point is rejecting all morality and humanity. Honestly, it makes me think about the rebel without a cause idiots who protest without reason, believing that any violence against the state (or conformity to the status quo) is meaningful, which is not true. It also made me think of the mass hysteria and collective psychosis that drove people apart during the pandemic - people driven by fears, triggers, and emotions, becoming monsters and turning others into monsters.

2) The Leader: Four nameless characters who are followers of a headless leader... It shows how mindless rhetoric is used in democracy to coerce the identityless masses. If individuality is stripped, they can be controlled in masses.

3) The Future is in Eggs: This one's grim. It doesn't beat around the bush when it comes to nationalism and white supremacy, the need for constant production to keep the "race" alive. But it also reminded me of keeping the culture alive. The dead grandfather is like a dead king, the death of an empire, and the need to keep producing. Jacques wanting to produce pessimists, anarchists, and nihilists is him questioning the ideology of nationalism/racial purity.

Definitely made me want to read more of his stuff.

I read this English translation of Ionesco's play mainly because I am currently reading Rhinoceros in the original French for a class.

Before delving into it line by line in French, I wanted to get the general idea of the play.

This outstanding example of absurdist theatre serves as a powerful indictment of how conformity and "group think" enable evil to thrive.

It is an allegory for both the ostrich-like and the compliant attitudes that contributed to the rise of Fascism and Nazism before World War II.

Even today, it offers an excellent lesson on the significance of individual critical thinking and resisting the mindless, go-with-the-flow mentality that is so widespread in society.

We should all strive to maintain our individuality and not be swayed by the crowd, as this is crucial for a just and democratic society.

I am not capitulating!

This defiant exclamation serves as a brilliant summary of the entire play. It offers a profound exploration of human nature and its tendency towards conformity. This peculiar play also emphasizes the absurdity and irrationality of mankind.

Rather than a verbose discourse on the human condition, there is a touch of stark humor, such as the characters' inability to form judgments. The introduction of the pretty yet not overly intelligent Daisy adds an element of enjoyment to the play.

Rhinoceros is one of the few plays that I have read and truly love. It remains as relevant today as it ever was, continuing to resonate with audiences and provoke thought about the nature of humanity and our place in the world.

I guess when Adam is left alone in the world with no Eve, the fat lady is singing.

Adam, the first man, finds himself in a desolate situation. There is no one by his side, no companion to share his joys and sorrows.

The world seems empty and silent without Eve. Adam walks around, looking for signs of life, but all he sees is emptiness.

He remembers the times when he and Eve were together, the happy moments they shared. But now, all that is gone.

Adam feels a sense of loneliness and despair. He wonders what will become of him now that Eve is no longer there.

The fat lady is singing, and Adam knows that his world has changed forever.

In today's world, the modern mind is constantly evolving and changing. It is fascinating to observe how we imitate each other, which in turn leads to the development and transformation of our thoughts and perspectives.

This process of imitation can be seen in various aspects of our lives, from fashion trends to technological advancements. We are influenced by the actions and ideas of those around us, and this influence shapes our own way of thinking.

As we imitate each other, we also learn and grow. We adopt new behaviors and ideas that we believe will benefit us, and in doing so, we expand our knowledge and understanding.

However, it is important to note that imitation should not be盲目. We should always think critically and evaluate the ideas and behaviors that we are imitating. Only by doing so can we ensure that our own development is positive and sustainable.

In conclusion, the modern mind is in a constant state of change and development, and imitation plays a significant role in this process. By being aware of this influence and thinking critically, we can continue to grow and evolve in a positive direction.