The Balcony (Masterplots II: Drama, Revised Edition)
At a glance:
- Author: Jean Genet
- First Published: 1956
- Type of Plot: Absurdist
- Time of Work: The 1930’s
- Setting: Spain
- Principal Characters: The Bishop, Irma, The Judge, The Executioner, The General, Carmen, The Chief of Police, Chantal, Roger, The Beggar, The Envoy
- Genres: Drama, Absurdist literature
- Subjects: Power, personal or social, Revolutions, Prostitution or prostitutes, 1930’s, Law or legislation, Spain or Spanish people, Impostors or imposture
- Locales: Spain
The Play
The Balcony begins in Madame Irma’s house of illusions. It is an elaborate brothel which enables men of little stature to live out their most decadent fantasies.
In the first scene, a man masquerades as a bishop obsessed with the power to forgive sins. Irma tells him that it is time to pay her and go home. In scene 2, a man poses as a judge infatuated with the power of punishing a beautiful girl. Also in his control is the executioner, who, at his command, will whip a confession out of the girl. Authority is transferred, and the Judge is ordered to...
[The entire page is 3304 words long]
Navigate
- The Balcony (Cyclopedia of Literary Characters)
- The Balcony (Masterplots II: Poetry, Revised Edition)
- The Balcony (Masterplots II: Drama, Revised Edition)
See Also:
Jean Genet (Cyclopedia of World Authors)Jean Genet (Drama)Jean Genet (Dictionary of World Biography)Jean Genet (Long Fiction)Jean Genet (Censorship)
See Also:
- - The Balcony summary and study guide in the eNotes.
- Add The Balcony to your favorites