Martinez, Rachel Intro to Theatre “Exit the King” By Eugene Ionesco Eugene Ionesco's play "Exit the King" is a story about the death of a King coinciding with the end of the universe. King Berenger provisionally had the privilege of appearing youthful as well as controlling when he dies. His first wife Queen Marguerite and the Doctor informs him he is going to die and that everything is falling apart — from the palace walls, to the order of the whole universe. However, his second wife Queen Marie tells him to live in the moment and not to believe what they say. King Berenger doesn't want to accept this fact, but his commands to restore order go unheeded. He no longer has control over his own life nor over anybody else for that matter. …show more content…
At the end of the play, he finally allows his fate as he fades away into a kind of mist. King Berenger is the protagonist of the play. He is not only the "King" but a creator of many great inventions which include planes, automobiles, railways, the first balloon, and the zeppelin. He also drew up the plans for the Eiffel Tower, and designed the sickle, and the plough. He invented gunpowder and stole fire from the gods. Not to mention, he has written plays under the name of Shakespeare, and has founded great cities of Europe. In my own personal interpretation of his character, King Berenger symbolizes the yearning desire in each individual that questions why we "die" and why we can't just "live forever." He also represents that death is present in all things that exist. The King loses power over the hard truth of dying, and lacks the willpower of his own mind that tries to reverse his imminent fate. His character represents mankind's hunger to be immortal beings. Queen Marguerite is the first wife of the King. She is older in age, more wise than the second wife and lacks the beauty the other wife possesses. She wears old worn out clothing that seems to distinguish her identity. Marguerite is the first person who tells the King he is going to die. She doesn't waste any time doing so either. Her character symbolizes the hard truth about death. Nobody has a choice to live forever even when we want to. She is the reasoning that we all need to acknowledge and understand that we will lose all power of ourselves when death comes to consume us. We can all learn from the words of Marguerite, "Make him see reason and set his mind at rest." Death shouldn't be a constant fear because when there is a beginning, there is always an end. Rest your mind, and let nature take its course. It will happen to you, and to me whether we like it or not. Queen Marie is the second wife of the King. She is young, and beautiful. She wears beautiful clothing. She is loved by the King. She is the wife that is in opposition with Marguerite. She doesn't want to allow the King to believe he is going to die. She tells him that death is just a word and he can overcome it if he just believes. Marie encourages the King by telling him he can heal himself by willpower. Marie’s character symbolizes our denial about death when it's our time to go. Willpower alone cannot save us from leaving this earth. This character of Marie shows us our very desire of wanting to live forever, living in the moment and forgetting that death exists, and tells us to ignore the hard truth (Marguerite). By constantly living in the moment, and purposely setting aside the thought of eternal rest will result in never reaching the state of serenity. Juliette is the King's nurse and housekeeper. She speaks her mind with honesty. She confesses to the King that her life is full of torment accompanied by a desolate state of mind. Juliette shows a sense of loyalty towards the end of the play when she makes a solemn promise to stay by the King's side. She then disappears suddenly after. Juliette's character in my own interpretation seems to symbolize the King's innermost thoughts that are very blunt in nature and interacts with the truth. Once the thoughts (Juliette) disappear, his acceptance is fully surrendered to the truth while he follows it (Marguerite) to his ultimate death. Every action the King did, Juliette echoed in words. Our thoughts are here to serve us, but only if they are used properly. We can all learn to accept loss, even if that loss is the end of ourselves. All it takes is a calm mind with the training of acceptance. The doctor is the King's Surgeon, Executioner, Bacteriologist, and Astrologist. He is dressed in what sounds like a red hooded cloak. He is wearing on his head a pointed hat with stars. In his hand is a great telescope with the power to see the universe through roofs and walls. The Doctor announces the news of the universe falling apart which is also connected to the King's life. He does so as he is in agreement with the truth of the King's imminent death. He can no longer operate on the King. Moreover, the doctor states to the King, "You've lost the power to decide for yourself, your Majesty." The character of the doctor symbolizes that medicine will not work forever. Nor does willpower act as a remedy for reversed healing. These things can no longer save the King from his ultimate death. In addition, we don't have the ability to extend our life past what we are naturally allowed to live. Medicine does not have the ability to keep us alive forever. The Guard is the King's main servant in the court. But as the King is dying, the guard is no longer able to obey his commands. He falls silent and motionless unable to serve the King. Towards the end, the Guard swears he'll never leave the King. But suddenly disappears right before Juliette. The Guard's character symbolizes our very need to guard ourselves with the desire of wanting to live forever. But it's in opposition with what is our ultimate fate. We cannot guard ourselves with what we need to internally accept. In this physical life, we will always be burdened with the fact that death awaits us all. We can either guard ourselves with the comfort of denial, or accept the truth with the comfort of rest. Two burning questions live within each and every one of us.
What is the purpose of life? But ultimately, what is the purpose of death? Why are we born just to die? These are two major wonders in the play "Exit the King" by Eugene Ionesco. For example, King Berenger asks the question, "Why was I born, if it wasn't forever?" This question wouldn't be of great significance if nobody possessed the desire to live forever. Our natural instinct is in the existence of life itself. It's an inborn pattern of survival. Furthermore, not only does the play "Exit the King" execute the theme of mankind wanting to be immortal, but it also shows how we need to prepare inwardly for when our time of demise draws near. My viewpoint on this play is that we tend to live our lives by putting off the fact that we will eventually die. The words of Queen Marie seem to be the motto of today's world, "Until death comes, you are still here." In other words, it's synonymous to the meaning of "live in the moment." The hard truth is that we are dying human beings. And it's our duty to accept this cruel fact. I would recommend the play "Exit the King" in view of the fact that it is an attempt to teach us by showing that we can learn how to die, instead of trying to avoid a fate that is impossible to
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Mortality, the subject of death, has been a curious topic to scholars, writers, and the common man. Each with their own opinion and beliefs. My personal belief is that one should accept mortality for what it is and not go against it.
Most people believe that their life is suppose to end a certain way. In the play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, the main characters end up killing themselves because of forbidden love. And the history of their family's fighting preventing them from being together. Resulting in personal choice having a greater impact on the characters in the play rather than fath.
When it comes to death, everyone has a different perspective about it. One might think death is just a beginning, a key to open the door to the afterlife. A release, a way out to a different world. Others might think that death is simply a lesson of life. It teaches one not to waste his or her time but live to enjoy it, while it still last. Live and do whatever one desire before time runs out. Surely, death has many different purposes and meanings. In the short story “Bullet in the Brain” by Tobias Wolff. He uses death as a flashback and a final thought to show the reader the character’s life in the story. In the “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” by Ambrose Bierce, he uses death to teach the reader that one should stand up and protect the
In his paper “The Makropulos case: reflections on the tedium of immortality” Bernard Williams asserts his central claim that when immortality is feasible it is intolerable; further, it is reasonable to regard death as an evil. He argues his position by utilization of The Makropulos case, or the case of E.M. This character and circumstance is derived from a play by Karel Capek. E.M. is a woman of three hundred and forty two years. She has survived so long due to an immortality draught concocted by her father, a physician, long before the play’s action. E.M. explains her problem with immortality is that her unending life has become incredibly dull, her emotions have become cold and indifferent. She feels that in the end, everything has happened before and life has become unsatisfying. She stops taking the immortality draught and death overtakes her. This invokes the optimistic thought that immortality may be rewarding, if certain desires continue to be satisfied. Williams expands on the idea of these desires, called categorical desires and inherent motivation, but first we should confirm the views of death that make the conversation of immortality desirable.
In the contract of life, there are numerous requirements. Every living being must be able to reproduce, practice homeostasis, consume energy, and adapt. However, there is one component of life that facilitators don’t include in their lesson plans: death. While all living organisms must have the ability to perform certain tasks in order to be considered living, all life must come to an end. Death is not a matter of if, but when. Many humans share a common fear of losing a loved one, yet authors utilize death to convey a profound meaning within their novel. In the first paragraph Bill Barich’s novel, Laughing in the Hills, he uses the inevitability of death to supply the reader with insight on the theme of his writing.
We are all condemned to death; it is inescapable. Even if a person doesn’t believe in the concept of destiny, it is undeniable that every person is fated to die at some point. Most people, however, are not aware of when exactly the inevitable will approach. Often in works of fiction, the reader, or sometimes even the character, is aware of their fate. There are many different understandings of destiny, which is one of the reasons why it has played such a large role in so many different literary works throughout the world and history. Fate is one of the principal literary devices used in Homer’s epic poem, The Iliad, Shakespeare’s tragic play, Antony and Cleopatra, and Tolstoy’s pedagogical novella, The Death of Ivan Ilych.
“Death, the end of life: the time when someone or something dies” (Merriam-Webster, 2014). The definition of death is quite simple, the end of life is inescapable. I chose to write about death and impermanence because it is something we all must inevitably face. People often deal with death in a number of different ways. Although it is something that we must eventually face, it can be hard to come to terms with because the idea can be hard to grasp. Some of us fear it, others are able to accept it, either way we all must eventually face it. In this essay I will look at two different literary works about death and impermanence and compare and contrast the different elements of the point of view, theme, setting, and symbolism. The comparison of these particular works will offer a deeper look into words written by the authors and the feelings that they experiencing at that particular time.
To see the world, things dangerous to come to, to see behind walls, draw closer, to find each other, and to feel. That is the purpose of life”.- Walter Mitty (Movie).
Death is an eternal mystery and the most controversial subject stemming from human inexperience. Its inescapability and uncertainty can give insights on the core principles and vulnerability of human nature. In Shakespeare’s tragedy Hamlet he skilfully makes use of death as a lashing force to explore the depths of his characters along the way illustrating man’s continual dilemma “To be or not to be”?
Notice how Shakespeare casually brings us through this voyage of death from the naïve spiritual view to the physical view to the sensible view. Notice how death evolves from two characters sharing the view that death is spiritual to two characters debating on the view of death (with one character giving in to the physical approach, to two characters sharing a completely physical approach to death, to Fortinbras? final view of death. Throughout the play, Shakespeare cunningly shows all the possible views of death and concluded with the universally sufficient perspective that death is imminent and we should glorify the dead for their lives lived and simply hope that there is a contented world to come.
In the play “everyman” death is depicted as something that is terribly feared as no one seemed ready for it, death is perceived as something that takes one away from the pleasures of this world.
The play is haunted by mortality. Desire and death and loneliness are played off against each
Tragic death plays a really big role in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Hamlet often considers death in many different perspectives, and definitely obsesses with the idea more so after his fathers’ death. Hamlet’s soliloquy is one of the most famous in literature, “To be or not to be, that is the question…” Hamlet’s dilemma is the pain of life that he must endure or the uncertainty of death. From the beginning of the play to the very last scene, the fascination between life and death plays a role throughout. Hamlet is troubled through the play after realizing that his uncle was the one who murdered his father and is now married to his mother. He wants to avenge Hamlet Sr. death and kill Claudius but feels that killing himself would be an easier resolution. After the death of his murdered father and appearance at his funeral, Hamlet will not leave anywhere without making the statement of his all black attire on the inside and out. The turn of events throughout the play only help the reader understand the debt of each character and their specific role to Hamlet and to the story in regards to life and death.
As a young girl at 14, I used to reminisce about the future, how badly I wanted to grow up, to drive, to be popular in high school, go to college and land an amazing job, have a huge home, nice cars, and an extremely handsome husband. The older I got, the more I began to realize all of the things I once desired for were not what I truly wanted. I began to realize the value of happiness, adventure, and creating memories rather than the value of temporary popularity, material items, and physical appearances. What I realized was that when one is lying on their deathbed, because the only thing guaranteed in life is death, they will not think, “oh what a lovely car I drove” but rather, “I remember when I went on my first road trip with my friends.” As mentioned in “Tuesdays With Morrie” by Mitch Albom, Morrie emphasizes the idea, “once you learn how to die, you learn how to live,” meaning, remembering that one day we will all depart from this world, one will realize what it truly means to live. Another pointer that can essentially alter one’s vision of living life: to live simply, as discussed in “Where I Lived and What I Live For” by David Henry Thoreau. Although thinking about death is a harsh reality on a young teenager, it is rather helpful to wrap our heads around it at a young age. Why? because as one grows older, they will see more death. Living a simple life may seem boring to a young teenager, but as one grows older and their schedules become bustled with work, and responsibilities, they will wish that they could step back, and choose a simple lifestyle.
One thing that we often hear is that “death is just a part of life.” So often in our day and age do we hear people utter these words. However, death is far more significant and impactful than some would allege. True death is not merely a time when we cease to exist; it is an entombment, a mindset in which we are dead to this world. Throughout our lives, it is true that we can all be dead in one way or another, but it does not have to be that way. When we have our eyes opened to what death actually is, it is far easier to grasp what the true meaning of life is, and to embrace it. Often, we will come across individuals who are enveloped in death and others who are immersed in true life. The shadow of death and entombment lies upon some, encompassing