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Series:   Elements in Beckett Studies

Beckett and Cioran

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 April 2024

Steven Matthews
Steven Matthews
Affiliation:
University of Reading

Summary

This Element discusses the association between Samuel Beckett, and the Romanian-born philosopher, E. M. Cioran. It draws upon the known biographical detail, but, more substantially, upon the terms of Beckett's engagement with Cioran's writings, from the 1950s to the 1970s. Certain of Cioran's key conceptualisations, such as that of the 'meteque', and his version of philosophical scepticism, resonate with aspects of Beckett's writing as it evolved beyond the 'siege in the room'. More particularly, aspects of Cioran's conclusion about the formal nature that philosophy must assume chime with some of the formal decisions taken by Beckett in the mid-late prose. Through close reading of some of Beckett's key works such as Texts for Nothing and How It Is, and through consideration of Beckett's choices when translating between English and French, the issues of identity and understanding shared by these two settlers in Paris are mutually illuminated.
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Keywords

BeckettE. M. Cioranphilosophyscepticismpessimism
Type
Element
Information
Series: Elements in Beckett Studies
Online ISBN: 9781009351560
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication: 16 May 2024

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