Breath (play)

Breath is a short play written by Samuel Beckett. First conceived in 1969 and published in 1969 as part of a larger collection called Breath and Other Shorts, it is one of Beckett's shortest and most controversial theatrical works. The play is characterized by its almost complete lack of conventional dramatic elements, such as characters and dialogue.

Synopsis:

The play consists of a timed sequence of events:

1. A faint, audible curtain opens.
2. A pre-recorded cry is heard.
3. An inhalation occurs, lasting a specified number of seconds.
4. The maximum intensity of the inhalation (and light) is reached.
5. An exhalation occurs, lasting a specified number of seconds.
6. Another pre-recorded cry is heard.
7. The curtain closes.

The stage directions specify that the stage floor is to be covered with a "scatter of miscellaneous rubbish." The entire play is intended to be extremely short, lasting only a matter of seconds.

Interpretation:

Breath is open to a wide range of interpretations. Some critics view it as a bleak depiction of the human condition, focusing on the cycle of birth, life (represented by the breath), and death. Others see it as a commentary on the futility and absurdity of existence. The "rubbish" on the stage floor is often interpreted as representing the detritus of life or the remnants of a decaying world. The absence of human figures emphasizes the impersonal and mechanistic nature of the events.

Controversy:

The play has been controversial due to its extreme brevity and apparent simplicity. Some critics have dismissed it as a trivial exercise, while others have praised it for its starkness and power. Beckett himself was reportedly unhappy with some early productions of the play, feeling that they overemphasized the elements of birth and death. He desired a more abstract interpretation focusing on the mechanics of the breath itself.

Publication:

Breath and Other Shorts (1969)