Arrabal Jokes About War but Thinks War Is No Joke
ESSAY – ‘Picnic on the Battlefield’, a play by Fernando Arrabal. ‘Arrabal jokes about war but thinks war is no joke.’ Discuss in reference to the play.
In his play, ‘Picnic on the Battlefield’, Arrabal takes the subject of war and appears to make light of it, using the subject in a way that is humorous in its absurdity. However, the subject is treated in this way not because Arrabal believes war to be an inherently funny thing, but rather because he is opposed to war, this concept is illustrated effectively in the play. The irony of treating war in such a way allows Arrabal not only to entertain the audience but also highlight and comment on the tragic absurdity and lunacy of war. This is particularly evident in the ending of the play which emphasises the ultimate consequence of war – senseless death.
On a certain stage, Arrabal indeed does joke about war, in an almost satirical way. He ridicules the manner and behaviour of soldiers on the front line, while adding some reality into the happening. He initially utilises the young soldier’s, named Zapo, inexperience, cowardice and exaggerated loneliness. “…And what am I supposed to do with the hand-grenades? Do I chuck them in front of me or behind me?” this is an example of the rough conversation at the start of the play between the Captain and the rookie, enrapturing the audience in the immediate inexperience of Zapo. His parents somehow mysteriously arrive at the front scenes, right after the call to his Captain. They manage to have a picnic on the battlefield, referring to the ironic title. When an enemy soldier appears, the he further exaggerates the hilarious situation, “…As he gets up ZAPO discovers ZEPO. Both put their hands up….ZAPO: Right put your hands together please. ZEPO: Don’t hurt me too much.” The ridiculous manner and dialogue that the two enemy soldiers exchange cause the play to seem unbelievable but on the other hand, comical and entertaining. When the planes scourge the area with their bombs,
In his play, ‘Picnic on the Battlefield’, Arrabal takes the subject of war and appears to make light of it, using the subject in a way that is humorous in its absurdity. However, the subject is treated in this way not because Arrabal believes war to be an inherently funny thing, but rather because he is opposed to war, this concept is illustrated effectively in the play. The irony of treating war in such a way allows Arrabal not only to entertain the audience but also highlight and comment on the tragic absurdity and lunacy of war. This is particularly evident in the ending of the play which emphasises the ultimate consequence of war – senseless death.
On a certain stage, Arrabal indeed does joke about war, in an almost satirical way. He ridicules the manner and behaviour of soldiers on the front line, while adding some reality into the happening. He initially utilises the young soldier’s, named Zapo, inexperience, cowardice and exaggerated loneliness. “…And what am I supposed to do with the hand-grenades? Do I chuck them in front of me or behind me?” this is an example of the rough conversation at the start of the play between the Captain and the rookie, enrapturing the audience in the immediate inexperience of Zapo. His parents somehow mysteriously arrive at the front scenes, right after the call to his Captain. They manage to have a picnic on the battlefield, referring to the ironic title. When an enemy soldier appears, the he further exaggerates the hilarious situation, “…As he gets up ZAPO discovers ZEPO. Both put their hands up….ZAPO: Right put your hands together please. ZEPO: Don’t hurt me too much.” The ridiculous manner and dialogue that the two enemy soldiers exchange cause the play to seem unbelievable but on the other hand, comical and entertaining. When the planes scourge the area with their bombs,