Three Plays: Exit the King / The Killer / Macbett by eugène ionesco

15 reviews All reviews

BreezyDizasta

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I think "Exit the King" left me a bit confused, and "The Killer" also left me a bit at a loss.

However, then "Macbett" came along and put everything back in order.

It did so by presenting the single most absurd line that I have ever come across in any book.

The line was so ridiculous that it completely changed my perception of the story.

It was as if a light bulb had gone off in my head, and suddenly everything made sense.

Despite the initial confusion caused by the other two works, "Macbett" managed to salvage the situation and make me appreciate the power of literature to surprise and delight.

It reminded me that sometimes, the most unexpected things can have the greatest impact.

Overall, my experience with these three works was a rollercoaster ride of emotions, but in the end, "Macbett" emerged as the clear winner.

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Macchan01

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Only read "Exit the King" and I have to say that I really, truly enjoyed it. It was such an interesting and entertaining read. The play presented some really thought-provoking and interesting ideas about existentialism. It made me stop and think about the meaning of life and our place in the world. I found myself completely engaged from start to finish. I would have loved to read the rest of it if only I still had the book with me. Sadly, I don't, but it has definitely left a lasting impression on me. I will surely look for it again in the future to continue exploring the fascinating world that the author has created.

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zinno-chan

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I have a particular preference for Ionesco's short plays.

While they can sometimes seem to drag once you've grasped the central point, they still hold a certain allure.

Among them, the most complex one, "Killer," delves deep into the themes of dreams and innocence succumbing to despair and evil.

It presents a thought-provoking exploration of the human psyche and the various forces that can shape our lives.

The play's brevity allows for a concise yet powerful examination of these profound concepts, leaving the audience with much to ponder.

Despite their potential flaws, Ionesco's short plays continue to captivate and engage, offering unique insights into the human condition.

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slowblueocean

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Eugene Ionesco is widely regarded as the king of absurd theater. His plays are known for their unique and often mind-boggling styles that challenge traditional notions of drama.

One of his notable plays is "The Bald Soprano." In this play, the characters engage in a series of nonsensical conversations that seem to have no real purpose or meaning. The dialogue is filled with contradictions and repetitions, creating a sense of confusion and absurdity.

Another play by Ionesco is "Rhinoceros." This play explores themes such as conformity and the loss of individuality. The story follows a town where the inhabitants suddenly start turning into rhinoceroses. As more and more people succumb to this transformation, the main character finds himself increasingly isolated and struggles to maintain his humanity.

"The Chairs" is yet another classic play by Ionesco. In this play, an old couple prepares for a gathering of important guests. However, as the play progresses, it becomes clear that the guests are not real and that the couple is living in a world of their own delusions. The play uses symbolism and荒诞的情节 to explore themes such as loneliness, aging, and the meaninglessness of life.

These three plays by Eugene Ionesco offer a fascinating glimpse into the world of absurd theater and continue to be studied and performed today.

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LonelyLittleStar

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Absurdly true. Exit the King is a play that truly stands out. The dramatic self-conscious within it is not only witty but also makes the entire play come alive for me. It's a quality that is both captivating and engaging. Even now, after having experienced it, it remains deeply impressive. The way the characters interact and the story unfolds, all with this underlying sense of self-awareness, adds a unique layer of complexity and charm. It's a play that makes you think and feel, and its impact lingers long after the final curtain call. It's a testament to the power of great drama and the ability of a play to leave a lasting impression.

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Cerisine

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Vase, ink, and doroogh (I assume this is a word in a specific language, perhaps Persian). Nagam man az in 3 ta fagaht avalio khoondam.

However, it was not separate that I would add it. :)

The vase stood there, an elegant piece that seemed to hold stories within its curves. The ink, a dark and mysterious substance, had the power to bring those stories to life on paper. And doroogh, whatever its meaning might be, added an air of enigma to the trio.

I had only read about these three things, but they had already captured my imagination. The thought of how they might interact, how the ink could be used to adorn the vase or how doroogh might be related to them, filled my mind with curiosity.

I couldn't help but wonder if there was a deeper connection among them, something that I had yet to discover. Maybe one day, I would have the opportunity to explore these three elements further and unlock their secrets.

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KageKujo

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I have very mixed feelings about "Exit the King". On the one hand, it is truly enigmatic, inspiring, and profound. The story seems to unfold in a mysterious way, drawing the reader in and making them think deeply about various aspects of life, power, and mortality. The characters are complex and the themes are rich, making it a work that has the potential to leave a lasting impact on the reader.

However, on the other hand, I found myself speedreading through it at times. There were moments when the text felt a bit dense or perhaps a little too abstract for my immediate comprehension. Maybe it was my own impatience or lack of familiarity with the style, but I couldn't help but rush through certain passages in an attempt to get to the heart of the matter more quickly.

Overall, "Exit the King" is a work that both intrigues and challenges me. I appreciate its depth and complexity, but also struggle with some of its more difficult aspects. It's a book that I will likely need to revisit in order to fully understand and appreciate all that it has to offer.

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Bryce-kun

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

This is the first time I have seriously considered Eugène Ionesco’s work.

Several years ago, I read and enjoyed The Rhinocéros, but it wasn’t until I discovered that Ionesco adapted Macbeth that I became seriously interested in him.

Even with a wildly intriguing play like The Rhinocéros, Ionesco remains something of a mystery to me. I cannot tell if and when I am to take him seriously, and I suppose that is by design.

These moments of tonal ambiguity afford directors and actors the opportunity to make Ionesco what they need him to be, which is a liberating proposition.

Yet, if the plays in this collection are representative of Ionesco’s larger body of work, then I cannot imagine any competent production wouldn’t decide to cut heavily.

Each of these plays brims with needlessly rambling sections that pull and distract from each play’s uniquely crafted message and aesthetic.

Exit the King

Of the three, Exit the King is the most interesting and affecting. Ionesco tells the story of an infirmed monarch (not unlike Shakespeare’s Lear) who swiftly experiences the subtleties of death.

As his surly first wife Marie explains, the King has refused to accept the limits of his power and the inevitability of death; therefore, the King learns how to “accept death and die” while also learning “indifference and serenity” which culminates in “resignation!” (54).

Even as I write this, I cannot ignore the potential banality of what I just wrote. In the hands of a less capable dramatist, Exit the King would be an insufferable cliché, but Ionesco discovers genuine pathos in this otherwise tired conceit.

Yet, the problem with Exit the King is tone. I want to read this play again because there do not seem to be any clear markers indicating how sincere a reader should read lines such as the ones I quoted above.

The Killer

Too often, The Killer is a frustrating play. The conceit is clever enough, but unlike Exit the King and Macbett, it does not work well on the page.

Too often, the play drags and meanders at a frustratingly petty pace. The final few pages salvage the play, but The Killer would be better severed with deliberate edits that focus the play around its central protagonist, Bérenger.

Macbett

Part farce yet part cautionary tale, Ionesco’s Macbett wonderfully decontextualizes and satires one of Shakespeare’s most horrifying plays.

Like Exit the King, I want to reread this play again before I write anything else about it, so at some point, I may add to my commentary here.

Nevertheless, the play has several interesting things to say about political rhetoric and how political rhetoric functions in both public and private spaces.

Overall, Ionesco’s work is complex and thought-provoking, but it also requires careful consideration and perhaps some pruning to fully appreciate its true value.

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Three Plays: Exit the King / The Killer / Macbett

eugène ionesco charles marowitz donald watson

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eugène ionesco

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