The “Big Man” as Fictional Archetype in the Work of Robert Hodgins and William Kentridge

Abstract

ABSTRACT The “Big Man” phenomenon is often associated with the African dictator. However, with the rise of modern “strongman” leaders such as Trump, Putin, and Xi, it is not surprising that the notion of the Big Man has come to represent a global condition, one that not only characterises African dictatorship but that also has a precedent in Western tradition. A potent visual and conceptual fictional archetype for the Big Man can be found in Alfred Jarry's Père Ubu, the central character for his play Ubu Roi (1896). While the tyrannical Père Ubu is an evocation of the European psyche of the late 19th century, he is equally compelling today as an archetype and symbol of the contemporary tyrant. This article seeks to investigate this claim by engaging with works by Robert Hodgins and William Kentridge inspired by Père Ubu. The Jarry-inspired Ubu theme is well known throughout Hodgins's and Kentridge's work. However, this article asserts the relevance of their work featuring this theme, given the evocation of an archetypal tyrant figure that has global significance and is pertinent to notions of tyranny in Africa (including South Africa).