The Absurd Existence, The Menacing Relationship

The thesis deals with Harold Pinter's early plays. Pinter's plays, from a particular angle, reveal people's mental anxiety, existential fear and antagonistic interpersonal relationship in a sharp way. The particular angle is the theme of menace, i.e., human existential crisis and interpersonal relationship. Menace is Pinter's basic understanding of the world in which he lives and of human existence and relationship. Therefore, menace is a main theme in his works and remains from his first plays to the last.Based on the philosophy of Existentialism and the Theatre of the Absurd, through textual analysis, the thesis attempts to trace the great playwright's exploration of human existence and relationship in the absurd world from two perspectives: language and the image of the room in his early plays.The thesis consists of three parts. Part one is a general introduction to Pinter's literary achievements, critical responses to his works, the purpose and relevant theories of the thesis. Part two, the main body of the thesis, contains three chapters. Chapter one points out Pinter's main theme: menace. Chapter two discusses Pinter employs language in his plays as a technique to explore his theme. Chapter three is devoted to the analysis of one of the setting: the image of the room in his early plays. Part three draws the conclusion that both the language and the image of the room functionally aid in the expression of Pinter's theme.