Exit the King (Masterplots II: Drama, Revised Edition)
At a glance:
- Author: Eugene Ionesco
- First Published: 1963
- Type of Plot: Absurdist
- Time of Work: Modern era
- Setting: Throne room of a king
- Principal Characters: Berenger the First, Queen Marguerite, Queen Marie, The Doctor, Juliette, The Guard
- Genres: Drama, Absurdist literature
- Subjects: Death or dying, Kings, queens, or royalty, Existentialism, Life, philosophy of, Aging
The Play
To the strains of seventeenth century courtly music, derisively played, the curtain rises on Exit the King to reveal a shabby throne room. On either side of the King’s throne are two smaller thrones for the two queens, Marguerite (the King’s first wife) and Marie (his second, and younger, wife). The room has several windows and doors; one small door leads to the King’s apartment. The King, his queens, the Doctor, and Juliette are announced by the Guard, who remains onstage with Queen Marguerite and Juliette, the servant. There is a brief glimpse of King...
[The entire page is 2561 words long]
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