SSC MTS Tier 118 Feb 2026Shift 2Reading Comprehension

Artaud and the Theatre of Cruelty

Antonin Artaud was associated with Surrealism and avant-garde theatre. His eventual departure from Surrealism made him develop the Theatre of Cruelty and publish its theories in the work called Theatre and Its Double. He removed the barrier between the performers and the audience. He made use of oversized props, lighting effects, groans, screams and verbal incantations to strike the audience's emotions and senses with an array of technical effects in order to make them face the unreal, ugly and grotesque pain. The whole idea of the theatre of cruelty was to leave a lasting impact on the psychology of the audience.

Which elements of stagecraft did Artaud use to create his intense sensory environment?

Answer और ExplanationAnswer and explanation

Answer: (A) Giant props, sudden lights, and loud noises, with shouting and singing

उन्होंने अपने नाटकों में “oversized props, lighting effects, groans, screams and verbal incantations” का प्रयोग किया। यानी बड़े आकार के props, तेज़ lighting effects और कराहने, चीखने की आवाज़ें इसी से मेल खाती हैं। बाकी विकल्प शांत और यथार्थवादी (realistic) रंगमंच का वर्णन करते हैं।

He used “oversized props, lighting effects, groans, screams and verbal incantations”. Giant props, strong lights and loud sounds match. The other options describe quiet, realistic theatre.

बाकी Options उत्तर क्यों नहीं हैंWhy the other options are not the answer

B'Opera music, real-looking props' मानक रंग-सज्जा जैसे प्रतीत हुए। परंतु ये पुरानी शैलियाँ बनाए रखते हैं, जबकि Artaud ने विशाल props, प्रकाश-प्रभाव और चीखों का प्रयोग किया।'Opera music, real-looking props' sound like standard stagecraft. But these keep the old theatre styles, while Artaud used oversized props, lighting effects and screams.

C'Fragile symbolic movements and silent talking' कलात्मक और प्रयोगवादी प्रतीत हुए। परंतु वे केवल हल्की भावनाएँ जगाते हैं, जबकि Artaud का परिवेश तीव्र और कोलाहलपूर्ण था।'Fragile symbolic movements and silent talking' sound artistic and avant-garde. But they stir only minor emotions, while Artaud's environment was loud and intense.

D'Little light, quiet voices' और 'meditative calm' सूक्ष्म इंद्रियगत शैली प्रतीत हुए। परंतु Artaud ने तेज़ प्रकाश, कराहें और चीखें प्रयुक्त कीं, अतः शांत वातावरण विपरीत है।'Little light, quiet voices' and 'meditative calm' sound like a subtle sensory style. But Artaud used strong lights and groans and screams, so quiet calm is opposite.

Source: SSC MTS Tier 1 · 18 Feb 2026 · Shift 2। Solution: Prashant Sir, Ramban।Source: SSC MTS Tier 1 · 18 Feb 2026 · Shift 2. Solution by Prashant Sir, from Ramban.