Caligula (Cyclopedia of Literary Characters)
At a glance:
- Author: Albert Camus
- First Published: 1944
- Type of Work: Play
- Type of Plot: Absurdist
- Time of Work: 37-41
- Setting: Rome
- Genres: Drama, Absurdist literature, History play
- Subjects: History, Values, Murder or homicide, Betrayal, Death or dying, Kings, queens, or royalty, Assassination, Ethics, Existentialism, Greek or Roman times, Rome
- Locales: Rome, Italy, Rome, ancient
Characters Discussed
Caligula (kah-LEEG-yew-lah), the youthful emperor of Rome. Caligula responds to the death of his sister Drusilla by launching a reign of terror against the Roman patricians. This oppression has no political end and lacks any clear pattern. Caligula’s goal is to demonstrate the meaninglessness or absurdity of life and therefore the impossibility of human happiness. Caligula strikes at random, at times punishing the innocent and sparing the guilty. He aims merely to humiliate and outrage the patricians. Finally, after three years of mounting atrocities...
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See Also:
Albert Camus (Cyclopedia of World Authors)Albert Camus (Ethics)Albert Camus (Short Fiction)Albert Camus (Long Fiction)Albert Camus (World Philosophers)
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