THE QUEST FOR TANGIBLE POWER IN THE INTANGIBLE WORLD OF ABSURD IN HAROLD PINTER’S “OLD TIMES”

Harold Pinter sets his plays in contemporary society, embellishes them with realistic settings and natural dialogue. The realism of the presentation serves as a deception, masking the absurdity underlying modern existence. Consequently, his characters use various strategies to cover up the loss of identity in the absurd world, the most prominent of which is the assertion of power that allows the temporary sense of meaning. “Old Times” (1970) is no exception from the pattern. The whole motion of the play depends upon the vigor of the power contest among its characters - Kate, Deeley and Anna, as well as Kate’s final triumph over the two. As a result, the paper argues that “Old Times” serves as a model of power structure, in which characters attempt to dominate each other in order to counter the uncertainty, insecurity and loneliness arising from the absurdity of human condition.

Anahtar Kelimeler:

“Old Times”, Pinter, absurdity, ambiguity, power

Harold Pinter’in “Eski Zamanlar” Oyununda Uyumsuz Soyut Dünyada Somut Güç Arayışı

Harold Pinter oyunlarını modern toplum içinde kurgular, ve oyunlarına gerçekçi ortam ve doğal diyalog ile renk katar. Sunuşun gerçekçiliği bir yanılsama doğurarak, modern varoluşun temelindeki absürtlüğü gölgeler. Sonuçta, karakterleri absürt bir dünyada kimliklerin yok oluşunu gizlemek için çeşitli yollar kullanır; bunların en önemlisi anlamın geçiciliğine imkan tanıyan güç iddiasıdır. “Eski Zamanlar” (1970) da bu eğilimin dışında değildir. Oyunun devinimi karakterler - Kate, Deeley, Anna - arasındaki güç yarışının şiddetine, ve Kate’in diğer ikisi üzerindeki zaferine bağlıdır. Sonuç olarak, makale “Eski Zamanlar”’ın, insanın absürtlüğünden kaynaklanan belirsizlik, güvensizlik ve yalnızlık karşısında karakterlerin birbiri üzerinde hüküm kurmaya çabaladığı güç yapısı modeli olarak işlev gördüğünü söylemektedir.

Keywords:

“Eski Zamanlar”, Pinter, absürtlük, belirsizlik, güç,

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