Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett
Summary- The Story begins with two men evidently waiting for a man named Godot. These two men go by the names of Vladimir and Estragon. The two men don’t know Godtot. They may have met him before ,but they do not have any recollection of Godot. Vladimir and Estragon don’t know if Godot will show up, they don’t know who he is, and they don’t know if they are waiting for him in the right place. The story is muddled in the sense that the characters do not know what is going on and why they are waiting for Godot. While Vladimir and Estragon wait, a man named Pozzo arrives on the scene with his slave Lucky. As they talk for a while, Lucky entertains the men with dancing. After the short conversation Pozzo and Lucky leave. Soon after Pozzo and Lucky leave, a boy comes with news from Godot. He tells Vladimir and Estragon that Godot will not be coming to meet them that night. After the boy leaves, the men decide to leave. The next day, Vladimir and Estragon wait under the tree once again for Godot. As the men wait, they converse and do nothing else. Soon after some time, Lucky and Pozzo meet them again. This time Pozzo is blind and states that he can not sense time because of his blindness. His slave Lucky can no longer speak ,so he says nothing because he is a mute. Pozzo believes that he never met Vladimir and Estragon and he acts like they are meeting for the very first time. Pozzo leaves with Lucky and the boy soon returns. He tells the two men once again that Godot will not be coming that night and that he will show up the next day. The boy leaves and both men think about suicide. The play then ends.
Character analysis-
Vladimir- He appears to be bum or tramp as referred to in the story. He has a vivid and strong memory of the events that occur throughout the story. He is unsure of his memory because those around him declare that the things he remembers are not true. He is at a higher level of intelligence than his friend Estragon. Estragon often refers to him as Didi. He is the mature responsible individual in the relationship between himself and his friend Estragon. Vladimir seems to have absolute control over Estragon because Estragon looks to him for guidance in everything. Vladimir has a great sense of pride, but he feels that without Estragon he would be nothing. In a sense, the two complete each other because with out one another they would both be lost. Vladimir constantly has a gnawing guilt within him. He feels that he does little or nothing to help people overcome their problems. Out of all the characters he has the strongest sense of moral judgment. He constantly reminds Estragon that they must wait for Godot when Estragon wavers. Vladimir represents man’s soul.
Estragon- The other protagonist in the story is also a “tramp” like his friend Vladimir. Vladimir refers to him as Gogo. He often looks to Vladimir for guidance. He is weak and helpless with out Vladimir. Vladimir makes up for his lack of intelligence and judgment. Estragon does not have the common sense that Vladimir has. Every night he sleeps in a ditch and is beaten sometime during the night. Although he is physically harmed every night, he does not comprehend that if he finds a different space to sleep that he may be safe and untouched. He has the attention span of a goldfish. He does not remember most things unless they happened seconds ago. He relies on Vladimir to remember past events for him. Estragon does not have patience like Vladimir has. He desires to leave Vladimir ,but he needs Vladimir to survive. Without Vladimir he would be lost. Vladimir completes Estragon. Estragon represent man’s body. Therefore, he and Vladimir cannot ever separate from each other.
Pozzo- He is the owner of Lucky the slave. Pozzo appears to have acquired great wealth and riches. He is accustomed to the rich man’s life with all of the wealth and materialistic ways it holds. He has great pride in himself. He feels that all should know he is there and he needs all attention on himself. Pozzo believes that he is like everyone else except that he is superior to everyone. He feels that he is forced to be a part of society although he does not agree with it. Since he has a huge ego and feels that he is superior, he abuses his power over his slave Lucky. He exploits his slave and feels that his superiority gives him the right to do so. He stops to talk to Estragon and Vladimir only to have company other than his slave. In the second act of the play, he comes back blind. He no longer has the power to abuse his slave because he cannot see. He goes from arrogant and rich man to helpless weak man in need of help.
Lucky- He is the slave of Pozzo. When first introduced in the story, he has a rope around his neck much like a dog would. His master ,Pozzo, feels that it is necessary for the long rope in order to create distance between the two and define the two roles. Lucky carries all of Pozzo possessions. He is often denied the right to speak and only speaks twice throughout the entire story. When he attempts to speak, the other characters only silence him. Lucky entertains the men by dancing and thinking. Lucky is treated more like a dog than a human. He does tricks for his master and is complete and total submission to any of his masters’s wishes. He is extremely faithful to his master although he is treated like dirt throughout the entire story. After his master becomes blind, he obediently leads is anguished weak master around. Lucky also becomes mute in the second part of the play.
Godot- Godot may or may not represent god. It seems that the Estragon and Vladimir absentmindedly wait for a person or deity that will never appear. When Pozzo first enters the scene, he is mistaken for Godot because he gives off a godlike vibe in the way that he presents himself. Godot has boy who speaks for him because it seems that he will never make it to the meeting under the tree. He in fact never makes it to the meeting. Little is known about his character or behavior because he fails to arrive both nights that he promises to be there. However, people can concur that he is not a trustworthy or reliable person because he fails twice to keep his promise to two men. Vladimir and Estragon long for Godot appearance for whatever reason. Godot never shows up once in the story instead he sends his servant to tell the men that he can not make it.
Setting- The setting is a bit muddled. The only thing that is given to the readers or the audience is that two men constantly wait for on a country road by a tree for a man that never seems to appear. The readers and or audience also has no idea what race that the two men are although they both seem to be poor tramps who live on the streets. The time period seems to be sometime between the 1950s and the 1960s. The location is never given in the story. Therefore, it is difficult to decipher which time period the play took place. Although the slave Lucky could give an indication on what time period it could be, the plotline if the story is too vague to be sure. In fact, the setting could be non existent all together. The characters never leave their place under the tree even when they discuss leaving for the night and returning in the morning. Both scenes end with the two men still perched underneath the tree by the country road. The setting could in fact be the mind of man where man is trapped waiting for “god” and unable to leave until “god” releases them. Though the setting is difficult to understand, it is clear that these men are cut off from the rest of society with the exception of three visitors. The visitors being the boy, the rich man, and the slave. However, it never clearly states that the men are alone. They could be alone in their minds and therefore believe they are alone with just each other in the real world.
Conflicts-
Man vs man- In the story, the men continue to wait for Godot. It seems apparent that the men cannot leave their place under the tree until Godot either arrives and sets them free or allows them to leave without ever seeing him. The conflict in this situction is that the men are trapped and the only liberator that could give them freedom never seems to show up when needed. Thus, Godot could technically be seen as the antagonist because he causes the protagonists Vladimir and Estragon to suffer in enternal waiting for him
Man vs self- Vladimir constantly feels a gnawing guilt within himself. Although he does nothing wrong, he feels that he is not doing enough to help others who suffer while he sits idly near by. Estragon on the other hand believes that his weakness is a conflict. He does not comprehend or retain very much information which leaves him in confusion. The entire story he does not understand why he waits when he does not gain anything from it.
Man vs society- This type of conflict could apply to Pozzo. He believed that he was not a part of society. He felt that he was above the rest in a godlike state where no one could touch him. Sadly, reality does catch up with him. When he become blind, he learns that the only way to survive is to conform to society like the rest of the people in the world.
Man vs nature- In this story, the setting seems to be irrelevant and unimportant. Thus, the unknown of the place could be a conflict because the two characters do not know how to escape if they do not know where they are.
Man vs. technology- In this story, there is no use of technology. The lack of technology could be an issue because if the characters had it the situation could have been solved. The two waiting men could have called Godot if they had the technology to do so solving the problem of waiting for the no show.
Themes-
The theme of choice- The story is a matter of choices. Vladimir and Estragon feel that they have to wait for the man known as Godot. They feel that it is part of their daily routine making it mandatory. However, they do not have to wait for Godot it is a choice that they chose to do. Even when decide to leave they neither have the drive or physically ability to follow through. Many times the discuss leaving or state that they should leave, but they some how feel that that they need to stay and wait for Godot even though it becomes apparent that he may never come. The act of waiting for something that will surely never come creates a cycle with questions their reason for living.
Theme of truth- The characters in the story. Never know why they are waiting for Godot. They are driven to find the truth in the purpose of waiting for him. They are uncertain what will follow if they wait for Godot ,so they continue to wait purely driven by lack of truth. They act in a manner that seems meaningless because they do not know the consequences that will follow their actions. Without truth, their lives appear to be worthless and unimportant in the story.
Theme of time- The concept of time doesn’t exist in the story. The characters wait contiuely for a man that never shows. They have no memories and the only thing that they look forward to is the arrival of man who never appears. They do nothing while waiting for Godot ,and their lack of memory seems to make days blur together. The lack of sense of time leaves the characters wondering if the next deal will bring meaning or continue to be a meaningless pit of nothing.
Symbols-
Godot- Godot symbolizes god. Men may wait in vain for the arrival of god and never really know what they are waiting for. Life without god to some people can be meaningless. To some people the only thing that keeps them going in each and every day is the thought that god may some day arrive. Godot represents god by not immiedately coming to those who wish to see him. He instead sends a messenger that tells the men that he will be there soon. Godot is never seen in the play just like god is not seen walking around on the earth for all to see.
Vladimir- Vladimir represents the human mind and soul. He is the logical and knowledge that man kind possess. He sees the broader picture when he friend Estragon wishes to leave because he is hungry or thirsty. He cannot survive without Estragon.
Estragon- Estragon is the human body. He cannot survive without the mind and soul other wise he would be lost. The mind rules the body just like Vladimir rules Estragon. Estragon represents all of the inflictions that the body could endure such as hunger or thirst.
Image-
Video- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dm96MZS48lA
Sources:
"Samuel Beckett:Waiting for Godot | Spazio Personale Di Mario Aperto a Tutti 24 Ore Su."Spazio Personale Di Mario Aperto a Tutti 24 Ore Su. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Apr. 2013. <http://rosariomariocapalbo.wordpress.com/2011/03/31/samuel-beckettwaiting-for-godot/>.
"Waiting for Godot." SparkNotes. SparkNotes, n.d. Web. 01 Apr. 2013. <http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/godot/>.
"Waiting for Godot." Shmoop. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Apr. 2013. <http://www.shmoop.com/waiting-for-godot/>.
Summary- The Story begins with two men evidently waiting for a man named Godot. These two men go by the names of Vladimir and Estragon. The two men don’t know Godtot. They may have met him before ,but they do not have any recollection of Godot. Vladimir and Estragon don’t know if Godot will show up, they don’t know who he is, and they don’t know if they are waiting for him in the right place. The story is muddled in the sense that the characters do not know what is going on and why they are waiting for Godot. While Vladimir and Estragon wait, a man named Pozzo arrives on the scene with his slave Lucky. As they talk for a while, Lucky entertains the men with dancing. After the short conversation Pozzo and Lucky leave. Soon after Pozzo and Lucky leave, a boy comes with news from Godot. He tells Vladimir and Estragon that Godot will not be coming to meet them that night. After the boy leaves, the men decide to leave. The next day, Vladimir and Estragon wait under the tree once again for Godot. As the men wait, they converse and do nothing else. Soon after some time, Lucky and Pozzo meet them again. This time Pozzo is blind and states that he can not sense time because of his blindness. His slave Lucky can no longer speak ,so he says nothing because he is a mute. Pozzo believes that he never met Vladimir and Estragon and he acts like they are meeting for the very first time. Pozzo leaves with Lucky and the boy soon returns. He tells the two men once again that Godot will not be coming that night and that he will show up the next day. The boy leaves and both men think about suicide. The play then ends.
Character analysis-
Vladimir- He appears to be bum or tramp as referred to in the story. He has a vivid and strong memory of the events that occur throughout the story. He is unsure of his memory because those around him declare that the things he remembers are not true. He is at a higher level of intelligence than his friend Estragon. Estragon often refers to him as Didi. He is the mature responsible individual in the relationship between himself and his friend Estragon. Vladimir seems to have absolute control over Estragon because Estragon looks to him for guidance in everything. Vladimir has a great sense of pride, but he feels that without Estragon he would be nothing. In a sense, the two complete each other because with out one another they would both be lost. Vladimir constantly has a gnawing guilt within him. He feels that he does little or nothing to help people overcome their problems. Out of all the characters he has the strongest sense of moral judgment. He constantly reminds Estragon that they must wait for Godot when Estragon wavers. Vladimir represents man’s soul.
Estragon- The other protagonist in the story is also a “tramp” like his friend Vladimir. Vladimir refers to him as Gogo. He often looks to Vladimir for guidance. He is weak and helpless with out Vladimir. Vladimir makes up for his lack of intelligence and judgment. Estragon does not have the common sense that Vladimir has. Every night he sleeps in a ditch and is beaten sometime during the night. Although he is physically harmed every night, he does not comprehend that if he finds a different space to sleep that he may be safe and untouched. He has the attention span of a goldfish. He does not remember most things unless they happened seconds ago. He relies on Vladimir to remember past events for him. Estragon does not have patience like Vladimir has. He desires to leave Vladimir ,but he needs Vladimir to survive. Without Vladimir he would be lost. Vladimir completes Estragon. Estragon represent man’s body. Therefore, he and Vladimir cannot ever separate from each other.
Pozzo- He is the owner of Lucky the slave. Pozzo appears to have acquired great wealth and riches. He is accustomed to the rich man’s life with all of the wealth and materialistic ways it holds. He has great pride in himself. He feels that all should know he is there and he needs all attention on himself. Pozzo believes that he is like everyone else except that he is superior to everyone. He feels that he is forced to be a part of society although he does not agree with it. Since he has a huge ego and feels that he is superior, he abuses his power over his slave Lucky. He exploits his slave and feels that his superiority gives him the right to do so. He stops to talk to Estragon and Vladimir only to have company other than his slave. In the second act of the play, he comes back blind. He no longer has the power to abuse his slave because he cannot see. He goes from arrogant and rich man to helpless weak man in need of help.
Lucky- He is the slave of Pozzo. When first introduced in the story, he has a rope around his neck much like a dog would. His master ,Pozzo, feels that it is necessary for the long rope in order to create distance between the two and define the two roles. Lucky carries all of Pozzo possessions. He is often denied the right to speak and only speaks twice throughout the entire story. When he attempts to speak, the other characters only silence him. Lucky entertains the men by dancing and thinking. Lucky is treated more like a dog than a human. He does tricks for his master and is complete and total submission to any of his masters’s wishes. He is extremely faithful to his master although he is treated like dirt throughout the entire story. After his master becomes blind, he obediently leads is anguished weak master around. Lucky also becomes mute in the second part of the play.
Godot- Godot may or may not represent god. It seems that the Estragon and Vladimir absentmindedly wait for a person or deity that will never appear. When Pozzo first enters the scene, he is mistaken for Godot because he gives off a godlike vibe in the way that he presents himself. Godot has boy who speaks for him because it seems that he will never make it to the meeting under the tree. He in fact never makes it to the meeting. Little is known about his character or behavior because he fails to arrive both nights that he promises to be there. However, people can concur that he is not a trustworthy or reliable person because he fails twice to keep his promise to two men. Vladimir and Estragon long for Godot appearance for whatever reason. Godot never shows up once in the story instead he sends his servant to tell the men that he can not make it.
Setting- The setting is a bit muddled. The only thing that is given to the readers or the audience is that two men constantly wait for on a country road by a tree for a man that never seems to appear. The readers and or audience also has no idea what race that the two men are although they both seem to be poor tramps who live on the streets. The time period seems to be sometime between the 1950s and the 1960s. The location is never given in the story. Therefore, it is difficult to decipher which time period the play took place. Although the slave Lucky could give an indication on what time period it could be, the plotline if the story is too vague to be sure. In fact, the setting could be non existent all together. The characters never leave their place under the tree even when they discuss leaving for the night and returning in the morning. Both scenes end with the two men still perched underneath the tree by the country road. The setting could in fact be the mind of man where man is trapped waiting for “god” and unable to leave until “god” releases them. Though the setting is difficult to understand, it is clear that these men are cut off from the rest of society with the exception of three visitors. The visitors being the boy, the rich man, and the slave. However, it never clearly states that the men are alone. They could be alone in their minds and therefore believe they are alone with just each other in the real world.
Conflicts-
Man vs man- In the story, the men continue to wait for Godot. It seems apparent that the men cannot leave their place under the tree until Godot either arrives and sets them free or allows them to leave without ever seeing him. The conflict in this situction is that the men are trapped and the only liberator that could give them freedom never seems to show up when needed. Thus, Godot could technically be seen as the antagonist because he causes the protagonists Vladimir and Estragon to suffer in enternal waiting for him
Man vs self- Vladimir constantly feels a gnawing guilt within himself. Although he does nothing wrong, he feels that he is not doing enough to help others who suffer while he sits idly near by. Estragon on the other hand believes that his weakness is a conflict. He does not comprehend or retain very much information which leaves him in confusion. The entire story he does not understand why he waits when he does not gain anything from it.
Man vs society- This type of conflict could apply to Pozzo. He believed that he was not a part of society. He felt that he was above the rest in a godlike state where no one could touch him. Sadly, reality does catch up with him. When he become blind, he learns that the only way to survive is to conform to society like the rest of the people in the world.
Man vs nature- In this story, the setting seems to be irrelevant and unimportant. Thus, the unknown of the place could be a conflict because the two characters do not know how to escape if they do not know where they are.
Man vs. technology- In this story, there is no use of technology. The lack of technology could be an issue because if the characters had it the situation could have been solved. The two waiting men could have called Godot if they had the technology to do so solving the problem of waiting for the no show.
Themes-
The theme of choice- The story is a matter of choices. Vladimir and Estragon feel that they have to wait for the man known as Godot. They feel that it is part of their daily routine making it mandatory. However, they do not have to wait for Godot it is a choice that they chose to do. Even when decide to leave they neither have the drive or physically ability to follow through. Many times the discuss leaving or state that they should leave, but they some how feel that that they need to stay and wait for Godot even though it becomes apparent that he may never come. The act of waiting for something that will surely never come creates a cycle with questions their reason for living.
Theme of truth- The characters in the story. Never know why they are waiting for Godot. They are driven to find the truth in the purpose of waiting for him. They are uncertain what will follow if they wait for Godot ,so they continue to wait purely driven by lack of truth. They act in a manner that seems meaningless because they do not know the consequences that will follow their actions. Without truth, their lives appear to be worthless and unimportant in the story.
Theme of time- The concept of time doesn’t exist in the story. The characters wait contiuely for a man that never shows. They have no memories and the only thing that they look forward to is the arrival of man who never appears. They do nothing while waiting for Godot ,and their lack of memory seems to make days blur together. The lack of sense of time leaves the characters wondering if the next deal will bring meaning or continue to be a meaningless pit of nothing.
Symbols-
Godot- Godot symbolizes god. Men may wait in vain for the arrival of god and never really know what they are waiting for. Life without god to some people can be meaningless. To some people the only thing that keeps them going in each and every day is the thought that god may some day arrive. Godot represents god by not immiedately coming to those who wish to see him. He instead sends a messenger that tells the men that he will be there soon. Godot is never seen in the play just like god is not seen walking around on the earth for all to see.
Vladimir- Vladimir represents the human mind and soul. He is the logical and knowledge that man kind possess. He sees the broader picture when he friend Estragon wishes to leave because he is hungry or thirsty. He cannot survive without Estragon.
Estragon- Estragon is the human body. He cannot survive without the mind and soul other wise he would be lost. The mind rules the body just like Vladimir rules Estragon. Estragon represents all of the inflictions that the body could endure such as hunger or thirst.
Image-
Video- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dm96MZS48lA
Sources:
"Samuel Beckett:Waiting for Godot | Spazio Personale Di Mario Aperto a Tutti 24 Ore Su."Spazio Personale Di Mario Aperto a Tutti 24 Ore Su. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Apr. 2013. <http://rosariomariocapalbo.wordpress.com/2011/03/31/samuel-beckettwaiting-for-godot/>.
"Waiting for Godot." SparkNotes. SparkNotes, n.d. Web. 01 Apr. 2013. <http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/godot/>.
"Waiting for Godot." Shmoop. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Apr. 2013. <http://www.shmoop.com/waiting-for-godot/>.