, Contents
Theatrical Context ........................................................................................................................................ 3
Waiting For Godot .................................................................................................................................... 3
Structure ....................................................................................................................................................... 4
Characters ..................................................................................................................................................... 5
Vladimir ..................................................................................................................................................... 5
Estragon .................................................................................................................................................... 6
Pozzo + Lucky ............................................................................................................................................ 6
Pozzo ..................................................................................................................................................... 6
Lucky ..................................................................................................................................................... 6
Who Is The Protagonist? ........................................................................................................................... 8
Who Is The Antagonist? ............................................................................................................................ 8
Language And Setting................................................................................................................................... 9
Setting ........................................................................................................................................................... 9
Lucky's Speech ............................................................................................................................................ 11
Core Message .......................................................................................................................................... 12
The Essence Of Lucky's Speech........................................................................................................... 12
Symbols ....................................................................................................................................................... 14
Tree ......................................................................................................................................................... 14
Hats & Boots ........................................................................................................................................... 14
Godot .......................................................................................................................................................... 15
Who or what is Godot? .......................................................................................................................... 15
Themes ....................................................................................................................................................... 16
Choices .................................................................................................................................................... 16
Truth........................................................................................................................................................ 16
Life, consciousness and existence........................................................................................................... 16
Time ........................................................................................................................................................ 16
Religion ................................................................................................................................................... 17
Suffering .................................................................................................................................................. 17
Bibliography ................................................................................................................................................ 18
, Theatrical Context
Waiting For Godot is a play about waiting. The title reflects the lack of action, or the (less than
action) that fills the time normally taken up by plot. The play’s genre could be called a ‘Tragicomedy”,
because it combines the absurdly farcical with tragically poignant melancholy of daily life.
Tragicomedy- a serious drama
interspersed with funny
moments that periodically
lighten the mood
The work was revolutionary for what it lacked. It lacked a real plot; discernible character development;
and any sort of adherence to dramatic traditions. The play looks at and explores THREE existential
tenants.
The world is absurd
“Habit is a great deadener”
Everyone has a personal freedom and it comes with personal responsibility.
Samuel Beckett abandoned conventional structure and development in both plot and language.
His plays have been heralded for their ability to create 'images in empty space' and 'sounds among
silence'.
The setting, timing and direction of Beckett's plays are as important as the text itself.
To this end Beckett provides precise and detailed stage directions. Beckett moved further and further
away from theatrical conventions, perhaps in an attempt to reinforce his belief in our inability to
communicate with others and our failure to control our destiny.
The central themes of Samuel Beckett's work can perhaps be summed up in this quote from Waiting for
Godot, 'They give birth astride a grave, the light gleams an instant, then it's night once more.'
Theatrical Context ........................................................................................................................................ 3
Waiting For Godot .................................................................................................................................... 3
Structure ....................................................................................................................................................... 4
Characters ..................................................................................................................................................... 5
Vladimir ..................................................................................................................................................... 5
Estragon .................................................................................................................................................... 6
Pozzo + Lucky ............................................................................................................................................ 6
Pozzo ..................................................................................................................................................... 6
Lucky ..................................................................................................................................................... 6
Who Is The Protagonist? ........................................................................................................................... 8
Who Is The Antagonist? ............................................................................................................................ 8
Language And Setting................................................................................................................................... 9
Setting ........................................................................................................................................................... 9
Lucky's Speech ............................................................................................................................................ 11
Core Message .......................................................................................................................................... 12
The Essence Of Lucky's Speech........................................................................................................... 12
Symbols ....................................................................................................................................................... 14
Tree ......................................................................................................................................................... 14
Hats & Boots ........................................................................................................................................... 14
Godot .......................................................................................................................................................... 15
Who or what is Godot? .......................................................................................................................... 15
Themes ....................................................................................................................................................... 16
Choices .................................................................................................................................................... 16
Truth........................................................................................................................................................ 16
Life, consciousness and existence........................................................................................................... 16
Time ........................................................................................................................................................ 16
Religion ................................................................................................................................................... 17
Suffering .................................................................................................................................................. 17
Bibliography ................................................................................................................................................ 18
, Theatrical Context
Waiting For Godot is a play about waiting. The title reflects the lack of action, or the (less than
action) that fills the time normally taken up by plot. The play’s genre could be called a ‘Tragicomedy”,
because it combines the absurdly farcical with tragically poignant melancholy of daily life.
Tragicomedy- a serious drama
interspersed with funny
moments that periodically
lighten the mood
The work was revolutionary for what it lacked. It lacked a real plot; discernible character development;
and any sort of adherence to dramatic traditions. The play looks at and explores THREE existential
tenants.
The world is absurd
“Habit is a great deadener”
Everyone has a personal freedom and it comes with personal responsibility.
Samuel Beckett abandoned conventional structure and development in both plot and language.
His plays have been heralded for their ability to create 'images in empty space' and 'sounds among
silence'.
The setting, timing and direction of Beckett's plays are as important as the text itself.
To this end Beckett provides precise and detailed stage directions. Beckett moved further and further
away from theatrical conventions, perhaps in an attempt to reinforce his belief in our inability to
communicate with others and our failure to control our destiny.
The central themes of Samuel Beckett's work can perhaps be summed up in this quote from Waiting for
Godot, 'They give birth astride a grave, the light gleams an instant, then it's night once more.'
