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The Hostage | Essays and Criticism

• The Hostage: An Example of Absurdist Theater

  In this essay the author discusses Behan’s play as an example of Absurdist theater.

• Libido at Large

  In this excerpt, the author appraises Behan’s play as ‘‘neither serious nor even a play,’’ instead calling the work ‘‘too disordered to support any more than a wink of solemnity.’’

• The Hostage

  Kerr reviews The Hostage in this excerpt, finding the play to be an entertaining and provoking experience, ultimately calling the play, ‘‘a wild night and a welcome one.’’

• Review of The Hostage

  Finding influences ‘‘from Pirandello to Jean Genet,’’ Simon offers a favorable review of Behan’s play.

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1. The Hostage: Introduction
2. The Hostage: Summary
   1. Act I Summary
   2. Act II Summary
   3. Act III Summary
3. The Hostage: Brendan Behan Biography
4. The Hostage: Characters
5. The Hostage: Themes
6. The Hostage: Style
7. The Hostage: Historical Context
8. The Hostage: Critical Overview
9. The Hostage: Essays and Criticism
   1. The Hostage: An Example of Absurdist Theater
   2. Libido at Large
   3. The Hostage
   4. Review of The Hostage
10. The Hostage: Compare and Contrast
11. The Hostage: Topics for Further Study
12. The Hostage: What Do I Read Next?
13. The Hostage: Bibliography and Further Reading
14. The Hostage: Pictures
15. Copyright

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