Which movement, popular in Europe from the 1940s through the 1960s, features plays that include characters carrying out foolish or meaningless actions, circular plots, cliches, and the message that life has no meaning?

Epic theater, developed by Bertolt Brecht, aims to provoke critical thinking and social change through its narrative style. Unlike the Theater of the Absurd, it focuses on political themes and encourages audiences to think rationally about societal issues, rather than showcasing the absurdity and futility of life.

Postmodernism encompasses a broad range of artistic expressions that often reject traditional forms and embrace fragmentation. While it may share some themes with the Theater of the Absurd, such as questioning meaning, it is not specifically defined by the portrayal of meaningless actions or circular plots typical of Absurdist plays.

Commedia dell'arte is an improvisational theater form from the 16th century characterized by stock characters and comedic scenarios. This style focuses on humor and physical comedy rather than the existential themes and absurdity central to the Theater of the Absurd.

Theater-in-the-round refers to a staging technique where the audience surrounds the performance space. While it can be used for various theatrical styles, it does not inherently convey the themes of absurdity or meaninglessness characteristic of the Theater of the Absurd.