R.U.R.

The characters in R.U.R. debate existential questions, or questions pertaining to the meaning of existence. One such question is: What is the purpose of life? Is life is meant to be enjoyed and to be continued? Domin dreams of a world where “[p]eople will do only what they enjoy” (21). Alquist argues that “[o]nly people can procreate” (74), and that giving birth is central to the human experience. However, humans are also the parents of robots. As an unnamed Third Robot declares: “People are our fathers!” (75). Robots evolve to continue life, and Robots Helena and Primus fall in love and procreate; this characterizes them as human at the end of the play.

Both humans and robots discuss humanity in a negative light. Domin believes that hatred is part of human nature: “No one can hate more than man hates man! Transform stones into people and they’ll stone us!” (58). Making robots more human is to stir up their hatred for people, in Domin’s opinion. Damon, a robot leader, echoes this: “You have to kill and rule if you want to be like people. Read history! Read people’s books! You have to conquer and murder if you want to be people!” (74).