Final answer:
The 'hungry watchers' are likely observers charged with ensuring a performer, such as a hunger artist, does not eat. They represent the public's suspicion and the spectacle of endurance, while also struggling with their own natural circadian rhythms and temptations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question 'What are the „hungry watchers” doing?' refers to characters in a narrative, likely monitoring someone or something with great anticipation or concern, possibly in a literary context. The provided excerpts offer various scenarios involving watchers or observers, each in a state of vigil or expectation. Taking the key phrase 'hungry watchers' from the available texts, it does not completely clarify which specific passage or narrative it refers to. However, considering the context from the excerpt provided about the hunger artist, it can be inferred that the 'hungry watchers' are the observers tasked with ensuring the hunger artist does not eat secretly. They are waiting for any signs of weakness or cheating from the performer, who is undertaking a fast, and ironically, they are both hoping and ensuring that the hunger artist continues to starve to maintain the integrity of his performance.
The entire surveillance process is a test of endurance not only for the hunger artist but also for the watchers, who may feel temptation to allow the artist some reprieve from his fasting. The situation reflects a deep human intrigue with self-denial and discipline, often found in works of literature that explore the complexities of performance art, public spectacle, and the boundaries of human willpower.
Circadian rhythms, as mentioned in the scientific context, refer to the physical, mental, and behavioral changes following a daily cycle, primarily in response to light and darkness in an organism's environment. However, in the context of the watchers, this biological concept might intersect with their behavior as their duty spans through nights, challenging their natural tendencies to sleep after dark. The shared human experience of changing behavior based on the time of day connects with the broader themes of vigil and the struggle against natural impulses, such as the hunger artist's fight against the innate need to eat.