Endgame “Nothing to be done” are the opening words of Waiting for Godot, and the line characterizes the entire drama. Likewise, the opening words of Endgame: “Finished, it’s finished . . .” set the theme for this drama. These are the last words that Christ murmured on the cross: “It […]
Read more Critical Essays Other Plays by Samuel BeckettCritical Essays The Circular Structure of Waiting for Godot
“But what does it all mean?” is the most frequent statement heard after one has seen or finished reading a play from the Theater of the Absurd movement. Beckett’s plays were among the earliest and, therefore, created a great deal of confusion among the early critics. No definite conclusion or […]
Read more Critical Essays The Circular Structure of Waiting for GodotCritical Essays Samuel Beckett and the Theater of the Absurd
Understanding the Theater of the Absurd With the appearance of En Attendant Godot (Waiting for Godot) at the Theatre de Babylone in Paris in 1953, the literary world was shocked by the appearance of a drama so different and yet so intriguing that it virtually created the term “Theater of […]
Read more Critical Essays Samuel Beckett and the Theater of the AbsurdCharacter Analysis Lucky
As noted above, Lucky is the obvious antithesis of Pozzo. At one point, Pozzo maintains that Lucky’s entire existence is based upon pleasing him; that is, Lucky’s enslavement is his meaning, and if he is ever freed, his life would cease to have any significance. Given Lucky’s state of existence, […]
Read more Character Analysis LuckyCharacter Analysis Pozzo
Pozzo appears on stage after the appearance of Lucky. They are tied together by a long rope; thus, their destinies are fixed together in the same way that Pozzo might be a mother figure, with the rope being the umbilical cord which ties the two together. Everything about Pozzo resembles […]
Read more Character Analysis PozzoCharacter Analysis Pozzo and Lucky
Together they represent the antithesis of each other. Yet they are strongly and irrevocably tied together — both physically and metaphysically. Any number of polarities could be used to apply to them. If Pozzo is the master (and father figure), then Lucky is the slave (or child). If Pozzo is […]
Read more Character Analysis Pozzo and LuckyCharacter Analysis Estragon
In contrast, Estragon is concerned mainly with more mundane matters: He prefers a carrot to a radish or turnip, his feet hurt, and he blames his boots; he constantly wants to leave, and it must be drilled into him that he must wait for Godot. He remembers that he was […]
Read more Character Analysis EstragonCharacter Analysis Vladimir
In any comic or burlesque act, there are two characters, traditionally known as the “straight man” and the “fall guy.” Vladimir would be the equivalent of the straight man. He is also the intellectual who is concerned with a variety of ideas. Of the two, Vladimir makes the decisions and […]
Read more Character Analysis VladimirCharacter Analysis Vladimir and Estragon
In spite of the existential concept that man cannot take the essence of his existence from someone else, in viewing this play, we have to view Vladimir and Estragon in their relationship to each other. In fact, the novice viewing this play for the first time often fails to note […]
Read more Character Analysis Vladimir and EstragonSummary and Analysis Act II: Departure of Boy Messenger: Vladimir and Estragon Alone
After the boy leaves, the sun sets and the moon rises, indicating that another day of waiting for Godot has passed. Estragon awakens and wants to leave this desolate place, but Vladimir reminds him that they have to wait for Godot. When Estragon suggests that they “drop Godot” and leave, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act II: Departure of Boy Messenger: Vladimir and Estragon Alone