Absurdism- the human condition as basically meaningless, It can be surreal, illogical, conflictless and plotless. The dialogue often seems to be complete gibberish.
Realism- Depicting life as it really is on the stage. complete with believable plot, dialog, characters, and ending . fourth wall very real.
ex. Henrik Ibsen
so you may say the two are opposites, one embracing life, and one questioning it.
now this doesnt mean that either dont have a message, or deal with social issues. they both often do, but have different approaches in which they deal with the problem.
World War II
Purposelessness
Critic Martin Esslin coined the term in his 1960 essay "Theatre of the Absurd." He related these plays based on a broad theme of the Absurd, similar to the way Albert Camus uses the term in his 1942 essay, "The Myth of Sisyphus". Surrealism-Plays is a site devoted to the history and creative works of the Surrealist Movement, as well as the anti-tradition of avant-garde theatre.
Critic Martin Esslin is credited with naming the Theatre of the Absurd and used the term to identify playwrights who were embodying Albert Camusâ?? philosophy that life is inherently without meaning. He named Samuel Beckett, Harold Pinter, Jean Genet, Eugene Ionesco and Arthur Adamov as the playwrights representing the Theater of the Absurd.
A traditional plot
contentment
contentment
Theater of the Absurd take place in the year 1950-1960.
The word "absurd" means senseless, ridiculous, or inane. It is also used for a genre of intellectually comic theater.
Maurice Marc LaBelle has written: 'Alfred Jarry, nihilism and the theater of the absurd' -- subject(s): Criticism and interpretation, Nihilism in literature, Theater of the absurd
World War II
1950s and 1960s
Purposelessness
Eugene ionesco
A traditional plot
Both realism and existentialism focus on the individual's experience of the world. Realism emphasizes portraying reality as it is, often focusing on the mundane and ordinary aspects of life. Existentialism, on the other hand, explores themes of individual freedom, choice, and responsibility in a seemingly indifferent or absurd world.
Critic Martin Esslin coined the term in his 1960 essay "Theatre of the Absurd." He related these plays based on a broad theme of the Absurd, similar to the way Albert Camus uses the term in his 1942 essay, "The Myth of Sisyphus". Surrealism-Plays is a site devoted to the history and creative works of the Surrealist Movement, as well as the anti-tradition of avant-garde theatre.