“As a comedy double act, what they do is more engaging than what they say”. To what extent do you agree with this view of the dramatic function of Vladimir and Estragon in Waiting for Godot?

The fragmented, repetitive and obscure use of dialogue by the two derelict protagonists, Vladimir and Estragon, in Beckett’s existentialist drama, ‘Waiting for Godot’ is often not deemed as significant or as engaging as the action of the protagonists within this comedic play. As such, it becomes clear throughout the play that the repetitive action engages the audience through frustration due to its inconclusive and relentless nature that contributes to the meaninglessness of the play. This offers the conclusion that in fact, what they say and what they do are not in competition for significance, but are in fact dependently linked- one cannot exist without the other.

The desolation and isolation of setting, deeply black and existentialist dialogue and non-progressive plot within Waiting for Godot provokes the audience to use the comic action of the characters as a relief. The amusement of the audience can be the result of a feeling of superiority to Vladimir and Estragon as their action portrays them as depressed, lonely and bored, ‘Let’s hang ourselves immediately! ’The incongruous hellish landscape, accents and bowler hats are also the source of much entertainment for an audience who are usually at the higher end of the hierarchy of social classes. The demolishment of individualism within the characters allows Beckett to represent them as the exemplification of modern man and humanity as a whole, ‘Let’s contradict each other’. This intention of Beckett’s itself engages the audience as they deduce what Beckett notions are regarding society.

Beckett’s compelling play lies firmly within the genre of the irrational and illogical Absurdist theatre, or ‘theatre stripped bare’, through his lack of pre-destined role, lack of conflict and unorthodox action. This blackly humorous lack of substance within Beckett’s Absurdist drama evokes thought in the audience regarding their own situation and allows them to make comparisons between their lives and the lives of