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The Two Executioners by Fernando Arrabal - KEY FACTS

 

The Two Executioners by Fernando Arrabal - KEY FACTS

 


KEY FACTS

Particulars

Details

Full Title

The Two Executioners (Los dos verdugos / Les Deux Bourreaux)

Author

Fernando Arrabal

Type of Work

One-act play

Genre

Absurdist Drama, Melodrama, Political and Experimental Theatre

Language

Originally written in Spanish; also published in French and translated into English

Time and Place Written

Written in 1956 at Foch Hospital, Suresnes, near Paris, France

Date of First Publication

1958 (French publication); English translation published in 1960

Publisher

Éditions Julliard (French edition); Grove Press (English edition)

Tone

Grotesque, horrifying, tragic, disturbing, satirical and oppressive

Setting (Time)

An unspecified period resembling the political atmosphere of Francoist Spain in the twentieth century

Setting (Place)

A dark, enclosed room with a door leading to the street and another leading to the father's torture cell

Protagonist

Mauricio, the rebellious son who opposes his mother's cruelty and defends his father

Major Conflict

The conflict between Mauricio's love for his father and his mother's blind obedience to authority, resulting in a struggle between individual conscience and oppressive power

Rising Action

The mother arrives and reveals her involvement in her husband's arrest and torture. Mauricio becomes increasingly disturbed by her cruelty and opposes her actions, while Benito supports his mother.

Climax

Mauricio's resistance reaches its decisive point as he confronts his mother's actions and the suffering inflicted upon his father.

Falling Action

Under pressure from his mother and brother, Mauricio gradually gives up his resistance and is persuaded to seek reconciliation with his mother.

Themes

Political oppression, authoritarianism, blind obedience, family conflict, betrayal, violence, injustice, psychological torture, loss of freedom and destruction of humanity

Motifs

Fear, torture, suffering, submission, rebellion, guilt, family loyalty and psychological manipulation

Symbols

The two executioners symbolise oppressive authority and organised violence; the mother represents fanaticism and authoritarian obedience; Mauricio represents resistance; Benito represents submission; the father represents the victim of political persecution.

Foreshadowing

The executioners' presence, the dark atmosphere, the mother's suspicious attitude and the reference to the father's torture create an expectation of suffering and tragedy. The growing disagreement between the two brothers also anticipates Mauricio's eventual surrender.

Important Clarification About the Characters

The play has five principal character roles:

  1. Francisca: The mother.
  2. Benito: The obedient and submissive son.
  3. Mauricio: The rebellious son who opposes his mother's cruelty.
  4. Juan: The father who is imprisoned and tortured.
  5. The Two Executioners: The anonymous agents who carry out the torture.

Important: The correct names of the sons are Benito and Mauricio, not Paco. Mauricio is the central rebellious character. The ending is particularly significant because he eventually asks his mother for forgiveness and embraces her, while Benito encourages reconciliation.

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Location: India

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