Published on the eve of the philosopher-playwright's centenary, this study offers a wide-ranging re-appraisal of Sartre's complete dramatic opus, from the inaugural 'nativity' play, Bariona (1940), to the swan-song chorus of Armageddon, Les Troyennes (1965). It draws on a close reading of Sartre's writings in philosophy, literature and criticism, and provides an extensive survey of journalistic and academic reception. Each play is situated in relation both to Sartre's intellectual evolution and to the broader historical context. This is the first full-length study in English, for more than thirty years, covering the whole of Sartre's theatre, and it will interest students of twentieth-century European drama, as well as those of modern French literature and ideas.

Essay from the year 2001 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: A, Staffordshire University, course: 20C French Drama, language: English, abstract: Jean-Paul Sartre created a new dramatic concept called the Theatre of Situations which is based on his philosophical work L’Etre et le Néant written in 1943. His existentialism deeply influenced society and intellectuals in particular. According to his specific point of view, man now was only determined by the decisions and actions he makes and nothing else. However, Sartre’s concept of the Theatre of Situations that the angst, which marked the twentieth century, was only faced up with nineteenth century tools. A circumstance which his drama Huis Clos, written in 1943, clearly shows.

An Analysis of Jean-Paul Sartre’s Plays in Théâtre complet is the first volume to propose a critical analysis of all of Jean-Paul Sartre’s plays as published in the Bibliothèque de la Pléiade, Paris, Gallimard, 2005. Viewing the plays in the context of Sartre’s philosophy, his prose writings and works by other philosophers, novelists, and playwrights, this comprehensive volume is essential reading for students of French literature, theatre, and existentialist philosophy.

Examines Sartre's idea of theatre as action.