Harold Pinter
Facts
Photo: U. Montan
Harold Pinter
The Nobel Prize in Literature 2005
Born: 10 October 1930, London, United Kingdom
Died: 24 December 2008, London, United Kingdom
Residence at the time of the award: United Kingdom
Prize motivation: “who in his plays uncovers the precipice under everyday prattle and forces entry into oppression's closed rooms”
Language: English
Prize share: 1/1
Life
Harold Pinter was a British writer, born in London where he lived his whole life. He grew up in a working-class neighborhood in the Hackney district, the son of Jewish immigrants. World War II and the prevailing anti-Semitic sentiment have characterized his writing. Pinter was politically involved in left-wing causes and active in the peace movement.
Work
Harold Pinter's writing consists primarily of dramas. A recurring theme in his plays is an inability to communicate in relationships. While the dialog is often clear-cut, the expressions of relationships—balances of power, class and gender divisions—lie beneath the words. His plays sometimes include violence. Combined with their unpredictability, this makes them frightening. At the same time, they also include dark humor. Pinter's writing also has a political dimension, inciting revolt against ruling power.
Nobel Prizes and laureates
Six prizes were awarded for achievements that have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind. The 12 laureates' work and discoveries range from proteins' structures and machine learning to fighting for a world free of nuclear weapons.
See them all presented here.
