THE ROLE OF MUSIC IN SAMUEL BECKETT’S WORKS: STRUCTURE, SYMBOLISM, AND DRAMATURGICAL FUNCTION
THE ROLE OF MUSIC IN SAMUEL BECKETT’S WORKS: STRUCTURE, SYMBOLISM, AND DRAMATURGICAL FUNCTION

Summary/Abstract: This article analyzes the use of music in the works of Samuel Beckett, highlighting its structural, symbolic, and dramaturgical functions. Music, present in various forms such as opera fragments, specific rhythms, and ambient sounds, plays an essential role in constructing the narrative and shaping the characters’ perception of time. In the plays Krapp’s Last Tape and Happy Days, Beckett uses music to emphasize the processes of memory and alienation. In Krapp’s Last Tape, for example, the recordings on audio tapes become a means of escaping the present reality, a way for Krapp to reconcile his past with his unfulfilled present. The rhythms and their repetition deepen the feeling of isolation and immobility, underlining the character’s inner conflict. In Happy Days, music intervenes to create a contrast between the apparent optimism of the main character’s monologue and the tragic reality of her existence, contributing to the construction of an atmosphere of ambiguity and despair.In Beckett’s prose, such as Murphy and Watt, music functions in a similar manner, highlighting the tension between idealized harmony and existential chaos. Irregular sounds and rhythms reflect the fragmentation and confusion of human experience, and the silences or pauses between words can be seen as echoes of musical principles, deepening the atmosphere of uncertainty and chaos. Moreover, the structure of sentences in his prose sometimes follows musical rhythms, where repetitions and interruptions create a dissonant effect, amplifying the sense of alienation. The article concludes that music in Beckett’s work is not merely a decorative element, but a fundamental component of his style. It plays a crucial role in exploring the internal conflicts of characters, emphasizing the human condition, and reinforcing the minimalist and fragmented aesthetics characteristic of the author. Thus, music becomes a vital instrument for deepening the complexity of Beckettian themes, contributing to the creation of an atmosphere of ambiguity and continuous introspection.

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