Re: the ubuesque

Ubu Roi/Pere Ubu say "merdre" all the time, not merde :-). Also there is a group
from Cleveland called Pere Ubu which is worth listening to while reading the plays
and other writings of Alfred Jarry. Ubu Roi was written in 190x (first play I
guess in 1907).

Christoph Schirmer

"Linda M. Steer" schrieb:

> _Ubu Roi_ is a very funny story by Alfred Jarry. The main character,
> called both Ubu Roi and Pere Ubu, is a pear shaped man (there are
> illustrations) who runs around yelling "merde." It is, amongst other
> things, a political satire. Ubu Roi is not a king, but believes he is.
> To fully understand the meaning of 'ubuesque,' it would be best to read
> the story (and it's been a very long time since I've read it, so I can't
> tell you much more). It is definitely a worthwhile read.
>
> Linda
>
> Stuart Elden wrote:
> >
> > In the lecture course Les Anormaux, Foucault uses a category he calls 'the
> > grotesque' and compares it to one he calls 'the ubuesque' (p. 12). This word
> > apparently dates from 1922, and a book called _Ubu roi_. French dictionaries
> > suggest that it describes someone who by their grotesque, absurd or cruel
> > character resembles 'Ubu roi' (p. 26n. 20). Any idea who this person was,
> > and if they were really a king?
> >
> > Hope someone can help
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > Stuart


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