Theories of Characterization Review of Related Theories
characters in the play, as well as describing the characteristics the qualities that each character owns. By revealing each one’s characteristics, it would be easier for the
writer to identify the traits, ideas, and orientation of the characters in the play, whether they carry out the idea of modernism or not.
As Abrams stated in his Glossary of Literary Terms, in analyzing a character we should be concerned about their consistency . The characterization theory by
Edgar V. Robert and Henry E. Jacob is a guide in characterizing the characters in the play through the characters’ speech and actions and the description of characters by
other characters and the author as an observer. These theories are used to solve the first problem formulation.
In an absurd play such as Waiting for Godot, the characters tend to be as absurd as the play itself. In applying the theories of characters and characterization to
this play, the writer focuses mostly on the ideas expressed through each of the characters’ dialogues. In an absurd play, there is barely any use in analyzing the
characters’ identities and background since they all remain unclear and fragmented. Moving on to the second problem formulation, the writer applies the theories
of modernism to the character Vladimir in order to analyze how this character brings out the qualities of a modernist. Theories of postmodernism are used for emphasizing
the postmodern attitudes in the other characters of the play, aiming to cause a contrast towards the ideas of modernism in Vladimir.
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