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The play Rhinoceros by Eugene Ionesco


             Give a review and understanding of the play Rhinoceros', and underline a deeper meaning behind it.
             The play Rhinoceros follows one day in the life of a few different people as they are brainwashed into converting from being human to being a rhinoceros. Naturally, when the rhinos first arrived in the French town people were frightened and would have never considered communicating with them, let alone becoming one. It is of course not realistic to believe that a human can transform into a rhino, and this visual analogy has been created to represent and symbolise other situations and historical events. The concept of the people converting to rhinos depicts the human behaviour of being convinced and sometimes forced to do things against their will.
             In the lead up to the Second World War during the late 1930's, Adolf Hitler, leader of the Nazi Party in Germany, installed serious changed laws and morals regarding religion, colour and background amongst the people of Europe. The majority of the people were appalled and strongly rejected the ideas and fascism, however over time people one by one started to change their opinion and eventually the majority were in full support of it. This, like the transformation of people to rhinos, was caused by many things. Many people were just followers and wanted to hold the same views as their friends. These people were not so concerned about the issue at hand. Others made a decision based on what they thought would be safest for them, as they thought that their life could be at risk if they thought otherwise to Hitler.
             The main aim of the characters from an acting perspective was to show their true decision as to whether they did or didn't want to become a rhinoceros. Since Berenger was the only person who did not become a rhinoceros, he was also a non-conformist, who needed to exhibit a confident personality that would not capitulate. The first two actors as Berenger played this role well and showed a strong will not to become a rhinoceros.


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