Top-Rated Free Essay
Preview

Waiting for Godot Major Themes

Better Essays
1182 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Waiting for Godot Major Themes
Waiting for Godot
A Play Concerning Nothing That Means Everything

Ralph Waldo Emerson, famous literary writer, once inscribed, “Much of human life is lost in waiting” (Richardson, 24). Individuals cannot escape the waiting in daily life even if they wished so. Waiting is inscribed into society, from waiting for a bus ride, beverages at a favourite coffee house, items to be checked out at a grocery store or simply, arriving to a location too early for an occasion to occur. In Samuel Beckett’s legendary play Waiting for Godot, the main characters Estragon and Vladimir obsess about waiting for the mysterious individual Godot to arrive. From this waiting, scholars have created many literary analysis of the play the most persuasive being political, religious and existentialist in nature.

The Cold War took place over decades, beginning in 1947 and concluding in 1991. The word cold is not only used in the title of this war, but also inscribed deeply into it. The war did not feature guns, bullets and soldiers, instead the war was fought aloofly between communist countries in things like sport events, propaganda and technological opposition. The Cold War appears as a metaphor for many scholars in Waiting for Godot. The characters hold a lot of emotion but never seem to really do anything with it, except discuss it at length. More than once the word nothing is used. There is often “nothing to do” (Beckett, 13) and “nothing to show” (Beckett, 4) and the character’s world stays the same. Scholars also point to the play as being Marxist in nature. Godot is the Capitalist full of power and who separates himself from the working class, the other characters are the working class, without personal purpose or goals. Pozzo and Lucky serve as an example of the Marxism analysis as well, Pozzo illustrating that to the Capitalist to labour. “Pozzo is blind to what is happening around him and Lucky is mute to protest his treatment” (Hutching, 68) serves as evidence of this relationship. Political interpretations abound in this play as do religious ones.

The character in which the play focuses on yet never makes an actual appearance is Godot. It is imperative for the religious examination of the play to note that the root word of Godot is God. Perhaps this is what spun the belief that Godot is a representation of God. Religious references are apparent in the play right from the beginning. Estragon asks Vladimir what he wishes from Godot and offers as a suggestion in his probing “A kind of prayer?” to which Vladimir replies “Precisely” (Beckett, 14). Estragon and Vladimir discuss religion and specific bible passages during their wait. For example, they speak about a biblical reference of two thieves. “Our Saviour. Two thieves. One is supposed to ... have been saved and the other . . . (he searches for the contrary of saved) . . . damned” Vladimir states and when Estragon asks what the thief is saved from, Vladimir responds “Hell” (Beckett, 64). It is interesting to note that in the bible passage, both thieves are saved from hell and like the thieves, Estragon and Vladimir wish to be saved from what Estragon later claims is “hell” (Beckett, 89). God and Godot also share a physical attribute; both have beards. Lucky states that Godot has a “white beard” (Beckett, 43) and later, the character of the boy offers that Godot also has a beard. Beckett frequently disappeared “into a trance” (Knowlson, 401) when writing and many followers of the religious analysis have accepted this as evidence that Beckett was unaware of his attentions, thus influenced by a “higher power” (Knowlson, 232). Strong appointments to this are those who see the play as Existentialist in nature.

Existentialism, as defined by Oxford English Dictionary is, “The individual 's unique position as a self-determining agent responsible for the authenticity of his or her choices.” The central idea of existentialism is that humans are accountable for designing, implementing and adhering to their own destiny. Thus, destiny is not God made, it is person made. Estragon and Vladimir have decided to stay in the dreary physical setting of isolation and containment. Estragon seems to offer readers a deeper thought process then his quiet and reliant friend Vladimir. Vladimir states, “All I know is that the hours are long, ... under these conditions, and constrain us to beguile them with proceedings which – how shall I say – which may at first sight seem reasonable, until they become a habit... you follow my reasoning?” (Beckett, 91). This quote is powerful, suggesting that filling one’s day with actions just to pass time such as removing a boot as Estragon did, is suitable for a short period but unacceptable for a long course of time. Although he states this, Vladimir does not leave the scene. Pozzo and Lucky, two of the three only people Estragon and Vladimir have contact with, have a slave and master relationship, but neither chooses to step outside this, instead the two characters grow deeply dependant on one another. Vladimir and Estragon go as far as to contemplate suicide, but do not proceed to do so. Thus, all the characters in Waiting for Godot, could live an altered life, with enhanced opportunities, but choose to stay frozen in the dark. under these conditions, and constrain us to beguile them with proceedings which – how shall I say – which may at first sight seem reasonable, until they become a habit. You may say it is to prevent our reason from foundering. No doubt. But has it not long been straying in the night without end of the abyssal depths?Academics have long linked Waiting for Godot and Beckett himself, to the existential movement. The greatest argument followers of the theory have is that Beckett never discloses Godot being a symbol of God, instead, he greatly declined the claim stating “that if by Godot I had meant God I would [have] said God, and not Godot” (Knowlson, 412).

“Waiting is painful. Forgetting is painful. But not knowing which to do is the worse type of suffering”, Paulo Coelho, celebrated Brazilian author wrote. The internal and external suffering which Estragon and Vladimir seem spellbound in is dreadful yet alluring in the same instant. Dreadful because the characters and audience wait for relief and alluring because they are enticed about what could be but is not. The waiting in Waiting for Godot has long stood as a secrecy requiring solving and the theories of politics, existentialism and religion offer convincing analyses to this literary puzzle. No one but Beckett himself and perhaps not even him, comprehend the genuine significance of this play, thus, like Estragon and Vladimir, scholars and audiences alike are caught waiting for a conclusion that may never arrive.

Works Cited
Beckett, Samuel. Waiting for Godot. New York: Grove Press, 1954.
Hutching, William. Waiting for Godot: A Reference Guide. West Port: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2005.
Knowlson, James. Damned to Fame: The Life of Samuel Beckett. New York: Simon & Schuster , 1996.
Richardson, Robert D., Jr. Emerson: The Mind on Fire. California: University of California Press, 1995.

Cited: Beckett, Samuel. Waiting for Godot. New York: Grove Press, 1954. Hutching, William. Waiting for Godot: A Reference Guide. West Port: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2005. Knowlson, James. Damned to Fame: The Life of Samuel Beckett. New York: Simon & Schuster , 1996. Richardson, Robert D., Jr. Emerson: The Mind on Fire. California: University of California Press, 1995.

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Better Essays

    Bibliography: Beckett, J.C. (1981). The Making of Modern Ireland 1603-1923, London, Cox & Wyman Ltd.…

    • 1716 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Themes In Gattaca

    • 857 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Controversial themes have long been a component of memorable film. These particular films touch on topics audiences might have typically found taboo or litigious, often dealing with ethical and social affairs. A prime example of this is the 1997 sci-fi film Gattaca. In a nutshell, Gattaca is a tale about a genetically caste era featuring modified humans and technologically reinforced discrimination. This world is no longer prejudice against class, gender, or religion but rather on DNA itself. The film serves as a warning about extremes in technological advancement and genetic engineering. A society attempting to create utopia by genetically customizing reproduction introduces several questions regarding genetic discrimination, expectations…

    • 857 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Chosen: Themes

    • 422 Words
    • 2 Pages

    An important theme in Book One of the “The Chosen” is to at least listen to what people have to say, especially if that someone is trying to make amends. “’You did a foolish thing, Reuven. You remember what the Talmud says, if a person comes to apologies for having hurt you, you must listen and forgive him” (David Malter, Pg. 63). Many events have led up to Danny and Reuven meeting each other, all of them very important. After his father’s speech about listening, Reuven gives Danny a chance to speak. Listening takes much patience and can give important information. Reuven’s choice to listen is essential to the beginning of their relationship, because for Danny, it gives someone that he can let his previously unexpressed thoughts and feeling out to. Danny would never have been able to let his thoughts out, because they would seem like the talk of an apikorsim to the people of his community. Reuven gives Danny a way to break his inner silence. When Reuven had ignored Danny in their first encounter, he almost jeopardized their future together. If Danny had not been persistent in explaining himself to Reuven, they may not have become friends as soon as they did. Their friendship not only benefited Danny but also Reuven. Being involved with Danny’s life gave Reuven a chance to properly utilize his new found perception of the world to analyze different situations. It is seen that Reuven’s actions have had a profound effect on Danny’s life. During Danny and Reuven’s college years, Reb prohibits them from being together or having a conversation. Reuven became angry with Danny and refused to notice the silent communication that Danny offered when they looked each other in the eye. Reuven did not listen to the silence at first; not until Danny tried a different approach by smiling at Reuven. This was Reuven’s first experience with hearing silence, but Reuven did not notice that this is what he was doing. Later, in Book Three, Reuven’s lack of…

    • 422 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Loyalty in Hamlet

    • 2815 Words
    • 12 Pages

    David Scott Kastan. (1995). Critical Essays on SHAKESPEARE’S HAMLET. G. K. Hall& Co.: New York.…

    • 2815 Words
    • 12 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Themes in Lost Horizon

    • 786 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The story itself begins when an evacuation of Westerners is ordered in the midst of revolution in Baksul, India. A plane containing four passengers is hi-jacked and flown far away into the Keun-Lun Mountains of Tibet. The plane crashes and the passengers are welcomed to the valley of the Blue Moon, and the lamasery of Shangri-la. Here they see an isolated monastery shrouded in mystery, which combines Christianity and Buddhism with a focus on the progression of knowledge.…

    • 786 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Ralph Waldo Emerson is considered by many as one of the most respected and widely known authors in the history of American literature. From his famous book “Nature”, to his various essays, poems and lectures, Emerson’s collection of works maintain an authentic diverse style that separated him from other authors. The confidence and optimism he portrayed thru his work helped to spawn an assembly of followers from not only America, but Europe as well. Many historians believe that Emerson may be the most inspirational figure in American thought since the colonial period, and In my opinion without Emerson’s influences on American Literature and Transcendentalism the new thought movement, and conception of individualism during the 19th century may have never taken place.…

    • 1010 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Vygotsky, L. (1978) Mind in Society: the development of higher psychological processes, Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press.…

    • 1671 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Themes in Gattaca

    • 688 Words
    • 3 Pages

    In the film ¡°Gattaca¡± directed by Andrew Niccol, several themes such as the impact of technology, discrimination and reaching goals are portrayed throughout the film…

    • 688 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Ralph Waldo Emerson

    • 1564 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Parkes, Henry B. “Emerson.” Emerson. Ed. Milton R. Konvitz and Stephen E. Whicher. Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 1962. 121-135.…

    • 1564 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Best Essays

    [ 19 ]. Gilbert Ryle, (1955) The Concept of Mind, Hutchinson & Co (Publishers) Ltd, pp15-16…

    • 3470 Words
    • 14 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Good Essays

    Emerson was a philosopher from the late 1800s. He was at the forefront of the transcendentalism movement and had a strong belief that intuitive thinking is far superior to logical reasoning. He successfully argues that men should reject the constraints of conformity, abandon tradition, and follow their personal intuition. He does this by appealing to people’s sense of pride and fear, using examples and the credibility of others in the past, and using religion to explain why individualism is best. Primarily, he targets human fear.…

    • 589 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Ryle, G., The Concept of Mind (1949); The University of Chicago Press edition, Chicago, 2002…

    • 1949 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Sternberg, R. J. (1998). In search of the human mind. Fort Worth, TX: Harcourt Brace College…

    • 1682 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Twice in Waiting for Godot, both Gogo and Didi meet the “boy” sent by Mr. Godot, once toward the end of Act I and once again at the end of Act II. When the boy appears, the only information he has to offer the two tramps is that Godot will come the following day, and shows no knowledge of coming with the same message the day before. This is Beckett’s way of addressing hope as an illusion, and of emphasizing the repetitive cycle of everyday life. This theme is central to the play as a whole, so despite the very short presence of the boy on both accounts, he still manages to represent one of the most important existentialist ideas that Beckett expresses throughout the work.…

    • 725 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    In Waiting for Godot, Samuel Beckett produces a truly cryptic work. On first analyzing the play, one is not sure of what, if anything, happens or of the title character's significance. In attempting to unravel the themes of the play, interpreters have extracted a wide variety symbolism from the Godot's name. Some, taking an obvious hint, have proposed that Godot represents God and that the play is centered on religious symbolism. Others have taken the name as deriving from the French word for a boot, godillot. Still, others have suggested a connection between Godot and Godeau, a character who never appears in Honore de Balzac's Mercadet; Ou, le faiseur. Through all these efforts, there is still no definitive answer as to whom or what Godot represents, and the writer has denied that Godot represents a specific thing, despite a certain ambiguity in the name. Upon study, however, one realizes that this ambiguity in meaning is the exact meaning of Godot. Though he seems to create greater symbolism and significance in the name Godot, Beckett actually rejects the notion of truth in language through the insignificance of the title character's name. By creating a false impression of religious symbolism in the name Godot Beckett leads the interpreter to a dead end.…

    • 1520 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays