L ’art théâtral d’Eugène Ionesco, une expansion polyphonique de la farce médiévale

Abstract

By using genuine comic strategies, Eugen Ionescu’s drama revives the XVth century spirit. This type of
re-rewriting past literary patterns is enhanced by means of fundamental strategies such as “effects thickening”
and the use of minor, basic medieval dramatic techniques (for instance pantomime, clowning strategies and
improvisation). The key-element relating it to the masterpiece of the medieval comedy (Farsa jupânului Pathelin)
is its own central theme: the lack of real human communication. It is the turning point gathering two major
French dramatic discourses together, despite of the five centuries separating them.