The God of Carnage by Yasmina Reza - Essay Example

The entire play is based on the manner in which the parents try to handle the situation.

Obviously, it is a brilliant foundation with a large number of possibilities for sharp humor, satirical conversations, and social observations. The play depicts how a virtual hell breaks loose and how an amusing situation is created as the two couples not only fight with each other but also exchange sides. At times the battle is between partners and at times it appears to be between boys and girls with the least level of introspection or admittance of accountability by any of the parties (Reza, 2009).

But nevertheless, the play takes visitors through ninety minutes of wonderful comedy and entertainment although it never gets deep enough for the viewer to think of watching a second part of the play. Alan and Annette are one couple and belong to the upper middle class. They are reasonably well off while the other couple, Michael and Veronica are extremely rich. Michael is a successful attorney while Veronica is a self-appointed writer and works part-time in a bookshop. Both couples could have met at a party or function but they have been brought together because of their sons who are both about eleven years of age.

The two boys had a fight in which Alan’s son beat up Michael’s son, causing him severe injuries. The arguments between the four adults relative to the fight between their sons become a contest that drags on excessively far in considering the context of the two marriages and the qualities of the four characters. The play virtually becomes a battle of wits in which the characters probe the details of each others’ lives and it appears for some time the couples will remain together but soon the partnerships begin to show signs of wavering.

It becomes perceptible that none of the partners are happy with each other and the play is enjoyable to watch as the four repeatedly come into conflict and get ready to fight with each other. They go on throwing insults at each other and loyalty seems to become a weak aspiration. Both pairs of husbands and wives accuse each other; they create new alliances at one moment and drop them in another. The play is characterized by Reza’s powerful dialogues that are perfectly translated by Christopher Hampton.

The play exposes the moral fragility of the four characters because they behave as if they are playing a game in which the winner will demonstrate how best an individual can betray his or her partner. In proving this point they switch partnerships but eventually, all characters end up playing for their own respective selves only. The verbal massacre taking place on the stage clearly explains why Yasmina Reza chose the title The God of Carnage for this play.