WHY IS MY SKIN TURNING GREEN??

Eugene Ionesco, in this classic play, happily satirizes human nature and how humans react with the emotion of surprise.

As the story unfolds, it may seem silly at first, but it still holds a sophisticated essence. It doesn't rely on more provoking aspects of comedy. Instead, there is a distinct tone that reveals how sometimes people are reluctant to change, even when the whole world around them is changing.

This play is truly a classic that must be read. I, for one, absolutely enjoyed it and would highly recommend it to all. It offers a unique perspective on human behavior and the resistance to change, making it a thought-provoking and entertaining piece of literature.

A pivotal modern play of the Theatre of the Absurd, this is the captivating story of the citizens of a small town. Gradually, with the exception of the Everyman character Bérenger, they morph into rhinoceroses. Yes, you guessed it right! This play vividly illustrates the transformation of average citizens into conformist beasts. It is a truly remarkable work that manages to be simultaneously humorous and philosophical. The absurdity of the situation, with people turning into rhinoceroses, is both comical and thought-provoking. It makes us question the nature of conformity and how easily we can lose our individuality in a society that pressures us to conform. The play invites us to reflect on our own lives and the choices we make, whether we are willing to stand up for our beliefs or simply go along with the crowd like the characters in the story who become rhinoceroses.

Surreal satires offer a unique perspective on the abnegation of self in mass politics.

Social conformism, a prevalent phenomenon, often leads individuals to suppress their own thoughts and beliefs in order to fit in with the crowd. This can result in a loss of individuality and a blind following of the group's norms and values.

Following leaders blindly is another aspect of self-abnegation. People may idolize leaders and accept their ideas and decisions without question, even if they go against their own better judgment.

Identity groups also play a role in this process. Individuals may identify strongly with a particular group based on factors such as race, religion, or political affiliation, and feel pressured to conform to the group's ideology and actions.

Surreal satires use exaggeration, absurdity, and humor to expose the flaws and contradictions in these aspects of mass politics. By doing so, they encourage viewers or readers to question their own behavior and beliefs, and to think more critically about the role of the self in society.

I have just completed reading Eugene Ionesco's "Rhinoceros, and Other Plays". It consists of three plays that are deliriously absurd. These plays vividly depict the perils of groupthink and mindless conformity. They also showcase the arduous struggle to uphold our humanity.

Each of these plays is a great work, ambitious in scope and intellectually challenging. They make us question the norms and values that we often take for granted.

Ionesco's unique style of writing, with its荒诞情节 and exaggerated characters, forces us to look at the world from a different perspective.

These plays are not only entertaining but also thought-provoking. They leave a lasting impression on the reader, making us reflect on our own lives and the choices we make.

In conclusion, "Rhinoceros, and Other Plays" is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the depths of human nature and the power of the mind.

Ionesco's Rhinoceros is a truly remarkable work that serves as both a hilarious and deeply poignant indictment of groupthink.

This play was inspired by the playwright's own experiences with Fascism during World War II, which gives it a profound historical and social context.

The drama kicks off in a rather absurd manner when the characters suddenly start noticing rhinoceri running wild around their town.

As the story progresses, it becomes clear that these rhinoceri are actually people they once knew.

The number of rhinoceri grows as more and more people choose to join the herd, leading to utter chaos and mayhem.

This creates a prime example of the Theater of the Absurd at its finest, challenging the audience's perception of reality and forcing them to question the power of conformity.

I have a deep love for this play, and my students share the same enthusiasm.

It offers a unique and thought-provoking exploration of human nature and the dangers of blindly following the crowd.

Three-fourths of this consisted of "Rhinoceros", so the focus lies on this. It's really good. The dialogues are ingeniously constructed where the characters repeat what the other says, although not always accurately reproduced. The logician was a cool element where all attempts to understand the situation that is unfolding either end up in meaninglessness or are completely the wrong way to approach the problem from the very beginning. Rhinos everywhere are fun.

I don't have a whole lot of experience in reading theater (Beckett is still the greatest of all time), so I can't compare it to others. That said, I would more than gladly have liked to see this on a stage.

4/5

Rhinoceros.

How can one possibly pass up a title as intriguing as that?

Ionesco, a remarkable writer who spent his life in Romania and France, is truly exceptional.

This collection consists of his plays, but he is also proficient in writing prose and poetry.

There are three or four plays in this collection, and the most outrageous one is 'Rhinoceros'.

It can be understood on multiple levels.

We can identify several recurring sentiments throughout these four plays.

His thought process encompasses a disdain for material possessions, a lack of trust in the communication process, an agitated awareness of banality, a need for solitude at times, the absolute absurdity of the human condition, a distaste for ideological conformity, a lucid reduction of reality that is both terrifying and fantastical, and much more.

Is 'Rhinoceros' an allegory of sorts about Nazism, which he endured? Is it a declaration or a refutation of this system that must subvert free will to enable the killing machine to function? And how did the victims rationalize away their free thought and systematically allow themselves to take fatal showers and choose the suicidal paths laid out for them?

Remember Ceaușescu? Have you ever seen that crazy and ridiculous government building he constructed in Bucharest? The second largest edifice of its kind in the world, with the Pentagon being the first. I wonder how Ionesco perceived this while reading his works, and I am fairly certain I can surmise his impression.

Or are his plays simply hilarious, witty, and enjoyable?

They are both, and that is what may elevate this author to rarified heights.

A true treasure regardless of how one chooses to interpret it.

SILLY!

This simple word can carry a lot of meanings. It can describe someone who does something foolish or makes a stupid mistake. It might also refer to a situation that is absurd or ridiculous.

We all have our silly moments. Maybe we said something without thinking, or did something that we later regretted. Sometimes, being silly can even be fun and lighthearted. It can make us laugh at ourselves and not take life too seriously.

However, it's important to know when being silly crosses the line into being irresponsible or hurtful. We should always strive to make good decisions and think about the consequences of our actions.

In conclusion, while a little bit of silliness can add some joy and spontaneity to our lives, we need to be mindful of when it's appropriate and when it's not. So go ahead and have some fun, but don't forget to use your common sense too!

Eugène Ionesco had written a very complex book. I've read this one and "La Cantatrice chauve" so far. Both when I was young, around 14 - 15 years old.

First, I remember thinking "WTF is that?!" Yes indeed, I was a bit of a pain in the ass back then (and I still am in some ways, by the way).

Anyway, the book delves into themes such as believing in people, misunderstanding, fear, and mistrust. It presents a rather unique and often confusing perspective on human relationships and interactions.

I didn't like it when I was younger. I found it too strange and hard to comprehend. But as I've grown older and gained more life experience, my appreciation for it has changed. Now, I can see the deeper meanings and the clever ways in which Ionesco explores these important aspects of our lives. It's truly a remarkable piece of literature that makes you think and question the world around you.

I'm on the horns of a dilemma about Rhinoceros (buh, dum, ch!).

In an attempt to teach a unit about existentialism to my high school seniors, this was one of the books I could choose to teach. Honestly, I had never heard of this play or its author before. Then again, I don't usually explore the Theatre of the Absurd.

At first, the idea of this play was captivating. However, as I read it, I realized two things. Firstly, there's no way I would try to teach this play to seniors. The amount of work required just for the context would be overwhelming, and they would likely give up before even starting. Secondly, I don't really like the Theatre of the Absurd. It's just too, well, absurd.

I did like the concept of Nazism and rhinoceroses (rhinoceri?). It was an interesting parallel to observe how collective consciousness can completely take over and become the new normal. I really want to SEE this play, though. While reading, I constantly craved the visuals that would come with actually seeing the play. I'm also curious about the costuming and staging.

Although it was a valuable read, it wasn't entirely enjoyable. I appreciate having read it, but I won't be reading it again.

"Rhinoceros" is probably my favourite Ionesco play.

This play presents a unique and thought-provoking exploration of human nature and society.

The story unfolds in a small town where people start turning into rhinoceroses one by one.

It delves into themes such as conformity, the power of the majority, and the individual's struggle to maintain their identity in the face of overwhelming change.

Ionesco's use of absurdity and symbolism adds depth and complexity to the narrative, making it both entertaining and intellectually stimulating.

The characters in the play are vividly drawn, each representing different aspects of the human condition.

As the story progresses, we witness the characters' various reactions to the rhinoceros epidemic, from acceptance and conformity to resistance and rebellion.

"Rhinoceros" is not only a great work of drama but also a powerful commentary on the world we live in today.

It challenges us to think about our own beliefs and values and to question the forces that shape our lives.

Overall, it is a play that I would highly recommend to anyone interested in exploring the human psyche and the nature of society.

I initially purchased this book as it was included in the required reading list for a course I took during my college years. However, to my surprise, we never ended up reading it in the class. Instead of getting rid of it, I simply let it sit on my shelf, gathering dust. Recently, I finally decided to pick it up and give it a read.

Now, I must admit that I may be regretting that decision. To be honest, I have no clear understanding of what these stories are truly about. It seems to me that each scenario serves as a metaphorical portrayal of some significant idea. Nevertheless, lacking the necessary context, I find myself completely unable to fathom what those ideas might be. As a result, I'm left feeling thoroughly confused. I've read short stories about people choosing to transform into rhinoceros, lovers being startled by a headless man walking through, and a newlywed couple laying eggs with the intention of devouring their own children.

Overall, the plays in this book have left me extremely perplexed. I can't help but wonder why Ionesco wrote them in such a manner and what valuable lessons I could have gleaned from them if we had actually read them during that college class.