Presents three plays by twentieth-century dramatist Eugene Ionesco, including "Exit the King," which traces the final hours of the once-great King Berenger the First; "The Killer," a study of pure evil; and "Macbett," a spoof of the Shakespearean tragedy.

Three classic plays exploring the absurdity of death and modern complacency by the 20th century master of French avant-garde theatre. Exit the King presents a ritualized death rite unfolding the final hours of the once-great king Berenger the First. As he dies, so does his kingdom. His armies suffer defeat, the young emigrate, and his kingdom’s borders shrink to the outline of his throne. The Killer is a study of pure evil. B’renger, a conscientious citizen, finds himself in a radiantly beautiful city marred only by the presence of a serial killer. B’renger’s determination to find the murderer in the face of official indifference and his final defeat at the hands of impersonal cruelty speak with the power of Kafka’s The Trial. Macbett, inspired by Shakespeare’s MacBeth, is “a grotesque joke . . . [and] a very funny play. . . . Ionecso maliciously undermines sources and traditions, spoofing Shakespeare along with tragedy” (Mel Gussow, The New York Times).

'What is remarkable about Alan Ayckbourn's comedy is that it contrives to be simultaneously hilarious and harrowing. Literally, it is agonisingly funny' Daily Telegraph In Three Plays Ayckbourn's perfectly pitched dialogue slices into the soul of suburbia. The settings are simple - a kitchen, a bedroom, a party - but the relationships between the husbands and wives are more complicated. Fraught relationships are exposed with humour, bathos and a sharp understanding of human nature.

Unlock the more straightforward side of Exit the King with this concise and insightful summary and analysis! This engaging summary presents an analysis of Exit the King by Eugène Ionesco, an absurdist drama which follows the king of the title as he struggles to come to terms with his impending death. The apparently absurd play, whose title gives away its ending, contains plenty of strange and humorous situations, but also gives the author the opportunity to reflect seriously on important themes such as death, destiny and human relationships. Ionesco was a Romanian-born French playwright and one of the leading figures of the movement known as the Theatre of the Absurd. He wrote many plays, including The Bald Soprano and Rhinoceros, and his work is still performed around the world today. Find out everything you need to know about Exit the King in a fraction of the time! This in-depth and informative reading guide brings you: • A complete plot summary • Character studies • Key themes and symbols • Questions for further reflection Why choose BrightSummaries.com? Available in print and digital format, our publications are designed to accompany you on your reading journey. The clear and concise style makes for easy understanding, providing the perfect opportunity to improve your literary knowledge in no time. See the very best of literature in a whole new light with BrightSummaries.com!

Four plays on the difficulty of man's retaining his individuality in modern society.