Existential Alienation in the Modern Society: Albert Camus' Caligula as Paradigm

Abstract

Existentialism is one of the modern literary movements under the avant-garde umbrella of the 20th century and its impact was felt in 20th century France and Germany but it became more prominent in Europe after the World War II. Existentialism emphasizes the fact that there are no longer any fixed standards or values by which one can live. Each person must therefore create his own code of conduct regardless of conventions imposed by the society.

At the mention of the term: 'existentialism', a certain other word may come to mind for most consummate theatre artists: freedom. Freedom thus becomes an inestimable mode of existentialism. With further dissection of the concept, we find that the existentialist man finds himself adrift in an enigmatic world with freedom at his disposal, yet he is in chains. He further realises that he has to make a choice, be it good or bad, and that failure to make a choice is a choice already made. The result of any choice the existentialist man makes will always yield a result, whether ugly or beautiful. However, the existentialist man is ready to accept the responsibility for his choices and actions.

Apart from freedom, choice and responsibility, other modes characterise the existential man and stir him towards the goal of living an authentic life that does not conform to societal standards, the dictates of authority, tradition or custom. His individualism, subjectivity and entrenched philosophy of the absence of God in his life will enable him be that true, creative, full-fledged human being in the world that he must be careful not to conform to. The factors which enable the existentialist alienate himself from the world to benefit his philosophy include: freedom, choice,

commitment, responsibility, moral individualism, subjectivity, anguish, death, among others.

Jean-Paul Sartre is a strong proponent of existentialism as he gave it the solid footing it has today. He speaks extensively on being, freedom and nothingness and the impetus to write extensively on nothingness was obviously born out of the devastating effects and disillusionment the World War II brought to the world. Sartre believes that freedom is accompanied by a heavy and inescapable responsibility and a disturbing anguish.

This paper focuses on x-raying the theory of existentialism as a literary concept or movement while bringing its characteristic modes to the limelight and alluding to a typical existentialist play: 'Caligula' by Albert Camus as a case study.