Ubu Roi, Ou, Les Polonais

A drama in five acts written in the late 19th century. The play is a satirical and absurdist take on power and greed, following the character of Père Ubu, a grotesque and tyrannical figure. As he schemes to usurp the king of Poland, the narrative unveils themes of political satire and the farcical nature of authority as Ubu and the characters surrounding him engage in ludicrous dialogues and actions that reflect their base desires for wealth and power. The opening of ''Ubu Roi'' introduces Père Ubu and Mère Ubu in their home, where they bicker over Ubu's contentment with his current life as a captain, hinting at his ambitions for greater power. Mère Ubu convinces him to plot the murder of King Venceslas to take the Polish throne for himself. As Ubu contemplates his schemes, a group of conspirators arrives, setting the stage for his subsequent rise to power through deceit and violence. This playful yet dark dialogue establishes the absurdity of Ubu's character and the chaotic world he inhabits, laying the groundwork for the satirical narrative that follows.