Connection between Endgame, the video and the play is the theme of absurdism. The poem describes the scene where the swan trapped in the lake under the ice is hopelessly trying to exile. Even though there is a pure brightness around, “The horror of the earth will remain where it lies”. This can be interpreted in a way that no matter how hard one tries to struggle in life, some outside forces will be in his/her way and eventually one will realize that there is no sense to struggle, no sense to strive in life. In the video, all we see is pile of garbage that were accumulated by the existence of humans and the horrifying sounds of scream represent the lives of those who are suffering and experience “the horror of the earth”. This may have the meaning that all humans get out of this life is the suffering and the waste. Similarly, the characters in Endgame have all lost their hopes and each is stuck in the same situation and nothing changes in their lives during the whole play. (Maia)
As Maia pointed out, both the video and the play touch upon the concept of absurdism, which a central theme in Endgame. In the poem, the swan seems hopeless and although she tries many times to escape her circumstances, her attempts remain futile. This suggests the meaningless world in which the swan, who is stuck in a frozen world, lives in. The swan’s efforts are meaningless, and it is suggested that the swan will die because it cannot escape. In a similar manner, as Maia pointed out, the video “Breath” also highlights on the theme of absurdism. It is set in a vary dark, bleak room an there is no dialogue or characters present aside from a pile of garbage. There is the sound of a crying child, which indicates that life is meaningless just like a pile of garbage. Both the video and the poem relate to Endgame in that the story presents a very bleak outlook on life. Seemingly, all of the characters have lost hope in life and settle in their current situation and do not make any effort to change their circumstances. (Lauren)
2 responses so far ↓
s.lau // May 7th 2016 at 11:55 am
I agree with Lauren’s take on the poem and its connection to Endgame. The swan is indeed hopeless and trapped by the world. It may temporary be able to shed its “agony” and but it will never find permanent peace. I think the futile earth will come back to haunt it. Surely, in both the video, “Breath” and in the movie, “Endgame,” both of the corresponding settings are very dark and portray a sullen mood. The pile of garbage never changes thus signifying that we are without hope and you should just give up.
d.kravetskaya // May 7th 2016 at 12:14 pm
Also Lauren expresses a valid point on the matter, I believe that the hope did exist throughout all of the works. This is due to the fact that without hope, they would not have been living. Throughout Endgame, Hamm asks for his painkillers and he asks for death to come knocking at his door, but at he same time, he shows signs of doubt, unsure of whether something will suddenly change and perhaps he world will have a purpose. Similarly, in the video and in the poem, there are clear indentations that the swan and the film creator wants to find that little bit of happiness that they regret not ever finding. By this, they are suffering, yet providing for themselves a purpose to go on.
You must log in to post a comment.