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As the play progresses, Berenger watches everyone he knows, loves, and admires transform into loud and destructive rhinoceroses, which symbolize the dangers of conformity. Important is the fact that Berenger characterizes turning into a rhinoceros as a choice that a person makes; it’s not something that’s forced on anyone, nor is it contagious in the sense that happens to people regardless of how they feel about it. Given Ionesco’s history and his stated reasons for writing Rhinoceros, the rhinoceroses themselves come to represent not just fascism itself, but the way in which ordinary people are overwhelmingly willing to go along with violent regimes that ultimately turn them into monsters devoid of all humanity or individuality.
Rhinoceroses Quotes in Rhinoceros
The Rhinoceros quotes below all refer to the symbol of Rhinoceroses. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
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Act 1, Scene 1
Quotes
Jean: I just can’t get over it!
Berenger: Yes, I can see you can’t. Well, it was a rhinoceros—all right, so it was a rhinoceros. It’s miles away by now—miles away.
Jean: But you must see it’s fantastic! A rhinoceros loose in the town, and you don’t bat an eyelid. It shouldn’t be allowed. (Berenger yawns.) Put your hand in front of your mouth.
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Old Gentleman: What can you do, dear lady—cats are only mortal.
Logician: What do you expect, madam? All cats are mortal. One must accept that.
Housewife: (Lamenting.) My little cat, my poor little cat.
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Berenger: (To Jean.) I’m not Asiatic, either, And in any case, Asiatics are people the same as everyone else.
Waitress: Yes, Asiatics are people the same as we are.
Old Gentleman: (To the Proprietor.) That’s true!
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Grocer: —it may be logical, but are we going to stand for our cats being run down under our very eyes by one-horned rhinoceroses or two, whether they’re Asiatic or African?
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Act 1, Scene 2
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Botard: You call that precise? And what, pray, does it mean by “pachyderm”? What does the editor of a dead cats column understand by a pachyderm? He doesn’t say. And what does he mean by a cat?
Dudard: Everybody knows what a cat is.
Botard: Does it concern a male cat or a female? What breed is it? And what color? The color bar is something I feel strongly about. I hate it.
Papillon: What has the color bar has to do with it, Mr. Botard? It’s quite beside the point.
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Act 2
Quotes
Jean: You always see the black side of everything. It obviously gave him great pleasure to turn into a rhinoceros. There’s nothing extraordinary in that.
Berenger: […] There’s nothing extraordinary in it, but I doubt if it gave him much pleasure.
Jean: And why not, pray?
Berenger: It’s hard to say exactly why; it’s just something you feel.
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Jean: I tell you it’s not as bad as all that. […] After all, rhinoceroses are living creatures the same as us; they’ve got as much right to life as we have.
Berenger: As long as they don’t destroy ours in the process. You must admit the difference in mentality.
Jean: […] Are you under the impression— […] that our way of life is superior?
Berenger: Well, at any rate, we have our own moral standards which I consider incompatible with the standards of these animals.
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Act 3
Quotes
Dudard: Perhaps he felt an urge for some fresh air, the country, the wide-open spaces—perhaps he felt a need to relax. I’m not saying that’s any excuse…
Berenger: I understand what you mean, at least I’m trying to. […]
Dudard: Why get upset over a few cases of rhinoceritis? Perhaps it’s just another disease.
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Dudard: What if you do? They don’t attack you. If you leave them alone, they just ignore you. You can’t say they’re spiteful. They’ve even got a certain natural innocence, a sort of frankness. Besides, I walked right along the avenue to get here, and I arrived safe and sound, didn’t I? No trouble at all.
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Berenger: If only it had happened somewhere else, in some other country, and we’d just read about it in the papers, one could discuss it quietly, examine the question from all points of view, and come to an objective conclusion. We could organize debates with professors and writers and lawyers, and bluestockings and artists and people. And the ordinary man in the street as well—it would be very interesting and instructive. But when you’re involved yourself, when you suddenly find yourself up against the brutal facts, you can’t help feeling directly concerned—
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Dudard: I consider it’s silly to get worked up because a few people decide to change their skins. They just didn’t feel happy in the ones they had. They’re free to do as they like.
Berenger: We must attack the evil at the roots.
Dudard: The evil! That’s just a phrase. Who knows what is evil and what is good? It’s just a question of personal preferences. […]
Berenger: There you are, you see. If our leaders and fellow citizens all think like you, they’ll never take any action.
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Berenger: A rhinoceros! […] Mr. Papillon a rhinoceros! I can’t believe it. I don’t think it’s funny at all. […] Why did’t you tell me before?
Dudard: Well, you know you’ve no sense of humor. I didn’t want to tell you. […] I didn’t want to tell you because I knew very well you wouldn’t see the funny side, and it would upset you. You know how impressionable you are.
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Berenger: I’m not very well up in philosophy. I’ve never studied; you’ve got all sorts of diplomas. That’s why you’re so at ease in discussion, whereas I never know what to answer—I’m so clumsy. […] But I do feel you’re in the wrong—I feel it instinctively—no, that’s not what I mean, it’s the rhinoceros which has instinct—I feel it intuitively, yes, that’s the word—intuitively.
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Dudard: If he was a genuine thinker, as you say, he couldn’t have got carried away. He must have weighed all the pros and cons before deciding.
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Daisy: What he said was, “We must move with the times.” Those were his last human words.
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Berenger: They should be all rounded up in a big enclosure, and kept under strict supervision.
Dudard: That’s easier said than done. The animal’s protection league would never allow it.
Daisy: And besides, everyone has a close relative or a friend among them, and that would make it even more difficult.
Berenger: So everybody’s mixed up in it.
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Berenger: He’s joined up with them. Where is he now?
Daisy: (Looking out of the window.) With them.
Berenger: Which one is he?
Daisy: You can’t tell. You can’t recognize him any more.
Berenger: They all look alike, all alike.
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Daisy: I never knew you were such a realist—I thought you were more poetic. Where’s your imagination? There are many sides to reality. Choose the one that’s best for you. Escape into the world of the imagination.
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Rhinoceroses Symbol Timeline in Rhinoceros
The timeline below shows where the symbol Rhinoceroses appears in Rhinoceros. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Act 1, Scene 1
...Jean knocks his chair over as he stands up and points, shouting that it’s a rhinoceros. The Waitress, the Grocer’s Wife, the Grocer, and the Housewife all shout and point out...
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The Logician rushes to the café and remarks that there’s a rhinoceros across the street, running at full speed. The Housewife and the Old Gentleman arrive at...
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At the same time, Jean remarks to Berenger and the Proprietor that the rhinoceros was amazing. He asks Berenger what he thought, but Berenger doesn’t know what Jean is...
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Berenger points out that the rhinoceros won’t get them where they are, but Jean insists that they protest to their town...
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...haze of alcohol, which Berenger morosely agrees with. With a sigh, Berenger says that the rhinoceros could’ve hidden under a stone or nested on a branch. Jean isn’t amused and accuses...
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...why Berenger is being so insulting and why he’s being contrary—it’s dangerous for a renegade rhinoceros to run around on a Sunday when the streets are full of people. Berenger begins...
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...the Old Gentleman for “making progress in logic.” The sound of a galloping and trumpeting rhinoceros gets increasingly louder as Jean insists that his drinking isn’t a habit, while the Old...
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...that he’s a moderate person, and suddenly everyone becomes aware of the noise of the rhinoceros. Everyone but Berenger stands and shouts “Oh, a rhinoceros!” in quick succession. Berenger remarks on...
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...and brandy for the Housewife. The Housewife refuses the brandy. People wonder if the same rhinoceros went past twice, but Jean insists it was two different rhinoceroses: the first one was...
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...her grief, but the Housewife continues to grieve for her cat. Berenger insists that the rhinoceros wasn’t running in a position conducive to seeing its horns, but Jean insists that his...
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...the Grocer is a tradesman and should be able to settle the dispute over the rhinoceros horns. Berenger belligerently says that he has no horns and that “Asiatics” are people too,...
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...fault, while the Old Gentleman and the Grocer continue to discuss whether Asian or African rhinoceroses have one horn.
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...a box. The Grocer, the Grocer’s Wife, and the Proprietor all agree that the Asian rhinoceros has one horn and the African rhinoceros has two. Berenger mutters to himself that he...
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Berenger backs away, taken aback, but then says that he thinks there was only one rhinoceros. The Proprietor brings the conversation back to the question of whether or not the African...
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The Logician says that it’s possible that a rhinoceros with two horns may have lost one between its two runs through town and stops...
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...it may be logical, but the real question is if they’re all going to allow rhinoceroses to run down their cats, whether they’re Asian or African. The Housewife, Daisy, and the...
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Act 1, Scene 2
...a dark suit with a rosette from the Legion of Honor. Botard insists that the rhinoceroses are nonsense, even when Daisy says that she saw it and Dudard points out that...
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...the color bar; this is an issue of a cat being run down by a rhinoceros.
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...much of this. To settle the matter, Mr. Papillon asks Dudard if he saw a rhinoceros firsthand. Daisy says that she did, and Dudard says that many reliable people did. Botard...
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...doesn’t think highly of it. He then asks Daisy if she even knows what a rhinoceros looks like. Daisy says they’re big and ugly, and Botard snorts derisively. Mr. Papillon stops...
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Berenger greets his coworkers and Mr. Papillon asks if he saw the rhinoceros. Botard digs at Dudard’s ribs and says that the universities just churn out intellectuals with...
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Berenger says that others saw the rhinoceroses and there might have been two. Daisy insists that it had one horn, and Botard...
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Botard stubbornly declares that the rhinoceros is a myth, just like flying saucers, and ignores Mr. Papillon. Dudard insists that a...
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...loud, but they quiet down when Dudard asks. Out of the blue, Botard says the rhinoceros thing is all a hoax and is just propaganda. Daisy says again that she saw...
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...Bœuf to work herself up. Mrs. Bœuf says that she’s in this state because a rhinoceros chased her here and it’s waiting at the bottom of the stairs. They hear a...
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...comforts Mrs. Bœuf. Botard insists it’s an illusion and Dudard calls Berenger to look. The rhinoceros circles down below, bellowing. Dudard says it seems like it’s looking for someone. Finally, Botard...
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Berenger asks his coworkers if the Asian or the African rhinoceros has only one horn. Daisy wonders what the rhinoceros wants and speaks comfortingly to it,...
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...replace an employee, and Daisy says that the firemen have been called out for other rhinoceroses—as many as 32 have been reported, but they’re on their way. Botard insists that 32...
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Dudard asks Botard if he still denies that there are rhinoceroses about. Botard berates Mr. Papillon about violating union contracts and tells Dudard that he never...
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Act 2
...yesterday. Jean doesn’t remember what Berenger is talking about until Berenger mentions the two “wretched” rhinoceroses. Jean asks how Berenger knows they’re wretched, but Berenger mumbles that he just said that....
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...bands and says that they were both right: people have proven that there are some rhinoceroses with one horn and some with two He apologizes for bringing them up again and...
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...and Berenger tries to help. Berenger again tries to apologize for their argument about the rhinoceros, but Jean ignores Berenger and says that he doesn’t hate people—they just disgust him and...
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Berenger tells Jean that Mr. Bœuf turned into a rhinoceros. Jean fans himself with his open pajama shirt and again shouts “Brrr.” Berenger tries to...
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...side of everything and insists that there must’ve been something pleasurable about turning into a rhinoceros. Berenger puts the clothes on the bed and says that he’s certain that Mr. Bœuf...
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...he scratches his back on the corner of the dresser, Jean says it’s not so bad—rhinoceroses have the same right to life as humans do. Berenger agrees but points out that...
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...voice that Berenger is talking nonsense. Berenger incredulously asks if Jean wants to be a rhinoceros, but from inside the bathroom, Jean says he wouldn’t mind—he’s not prejudiced like Berenger. Jean...
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...refuses, but Berenger’s attempts to calm him down fail when Jean fully turns into a rhinoceros. Jean threatens to run Berenger down and Berenger staggers out of the bathroom and slams...
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Act 3
...bedroom, which looks much like Jean’s, though he has a dining table barring the door. Rhinoceroses growl outside as Berenger writhes in his sleep, shouting to someone to watch out for...
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...down. They discuss Jean, and Berenger says that he’s shocked that everyone is turning into rhinoceroses, but Dudard cautions him to not dramatize the situation. Berenger cuts him off and says...
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Rhinoceroses stampede outside and Berenger rises, nervous. Dudard pushes him back down and tells him to...
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...points this out but insists that it sounds like a normal cough. Berenger asks if rhinoceroses cough, but Dudard says that Berenger is being ridiculous. The best protection against rhinoceritis is...
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...all his silly ideas. Berenger is horrified that he’ll have to go out and meet rhinoceroses, but Dudard says that they’re peaceful and in a way, pleasantly innocent. Berenger paces and...
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...but he’s starting to get used to it—though this doesn’t mean that he’s on the rhinoceroses’ side. Rhinoceroses stampede and Berenger watches them, declaring again that he can’t get used to...
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...Dudard declares that Berenger is just worried about himself, but Berenger will never become a rhinoceros. Berenger says that if everyone thinks like Dudard, nobody will act. This concerns Dudard; he...
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...happy about this. Dudard says that Mr. Papillon retired to the country and became a rhinoceros. Dudard thinks it’s funny. Berenger can’t believe it and doesn’t find it funny. Dudard says...
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...happening using logic and scientific inquiry. Berenger spits that Dudard will soon side with the rhinoceroses, but Dudard denies this and says he’s trying to be realistic. He believes that anything...
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...define “lunacy,” but Berenger says they all know what it means. He asks if the rhinoceroses are practice or theory. Dudard says they’re both, but it’s debatable. Berenger refuses to think...
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...the education that Dudard does. Regardless, he feels “intuitively” that Dudard is wrong about the rhinoceroses. Dudard asks him to define “intuitively.” Berenger accuses Dudard of dancing around him and suggests...
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...He hides his brandy bottle and asks if she saw that the Logician is a rhinoceros. She did, but she’s more concerned about Berenger’s health. She and Berenger ignore Dudard suggesting...
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...transformation. Berenger suggests that Botard’s firmness was a front and the reason he became a rhinoceros—good men make good rhinoceroses. Daisy puts her basket of food on the table and Dudard...
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Daisy begins to set the table as Berenger states that the rhinoceroses are “anarchic” since they’re the minority. Daisy notes that the minority is growing; several family...
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Berenger asks desperately how people can be rhinoceroses. As Daisy fetches plates, Dudard mutters that she’s very familiar with Berenger’s home. She starts...
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...says that they can’t make him stay. Berenger reminds Dudard that men are superior to rhinoceroses, but Dudard says that he won’t know for sure until he tries it. Dudard says...
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Staring pensively out the window, Berenger notes that there’s nothing but rhinoceroses—half with one horn, half with two—outside. He moves closer to Daisy and asks if she...
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...says that he might change his mind once they know each other better. They hear rhinoceroses running and Berenger says that they make Daisy seem even more beautiful. When Daisy asks...
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...they can’t feel guilty. Berenger motions out the window and notes that lots of the rhinoceroses started out feeling guilty. Berenger tells Daisy that she’s right; they need to be happy.
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...Daisy asks what happening. They try to calm each other, but Daisy remarks that the rhinoceroses mean business. Berenger notes that the authorities joined the rhinoceroses. The noise stops, and Daisy...
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...about it. They argue about whether they should adapt and try to live with the rhinoceroses or whether all hope is lost. Berenger tries to interest Daisy in lunch, but Daisy...
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Berenger grabs at Daisy as rhinoceros heads appear everywhere. Daisy suggests that they are the ones that need to be saved...
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...give in. They cling to each other and Daisy promises to help Berenger resist. The rhinoceros noises seem even more musical and Daisy notes this. She leads him to the window...
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...He tosses everything off the table angrily, slams the window shut, and declares that the rhinoceroses won’t get him; he’ll stay a human. He wonders what happened to Daisy and tries...
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...endings. With a gulp, he sits down with his brandy, vows to fight all the rhinoceroses, and says that he’s going to stay a man and not give up. He drinks.
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