Caligula

Historical Context and Significance

«Caligula» by Albert Camus is a philosophical drama written in 1938 and first performed in 1945. The play explores themes of absurdity, power, and freedom through the character of the Roman Emperor Caligula. Camus uses the historical figure of Caligula to show how absolute power and the realization of life's absurdity can lead to tyranny and destruction. The work became an important contribution to existentialist literature and philosophy, emphasizing the ideas of absurdity and rebellion that Camus developed in his other works. The play also influenced theatrical art, offering a deep psychological portrait of a dictator and his inner struggle, making it significant for the cultural and intellectual heritage of the 20th century.