Paper Summary:

Samuel Beckett's one-act play "Krapp's Last Tape" presents the sole character living in isolation, both from the world and from the man that he was in his past. This play is an excellent representation of what Martin Esslin calls the "Theater of the Absurd" in that it contains several elements that Esslin identifies as being characteristic of that form of writing. Two of these elements, isolation and communication--in the case of this play, the lack of communication--drive the action.

From the Paper:

Applying "On the Theater of the Absurd" to "Krapp's Last Tape" Samuel Beckett's play in one act, "Krapp's Last Tape" provides the reader with a brief look into the life of the main character. Krapp is a sixty-nine year old man who is looking back at his life through audio tapes that he has made on previous birthdays, as it is his tradition to do so and to make a new tape each year. In all of his years of life, however, it seems as if he has had only one defining event; at least, it seems as if he feels that only this event defines his life. In truth, the decision that he makes at that time in his life might have changed the way he lives the rest of his life. It is left to the reader to decide.

Visitors who viewed this Essay also liked these:

• Analytical Essay # 9005 : "Theatre of the Absurd"
• Analytical Essay # 49012 : "The Dream of the Rood"
• Analytical Essay # 117338 : "The Unreliable Narrator and "The Remains of the Day"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: