Thoughts on Did and Gogo Waiting for Godot Thoughts on Did and Gogo

Vladimir Hat – Represents the universe, something that he cannot understand; it doesn’t matter which hat he puts on, ‘humanity’ will never grasp the gravity of the universe. Has the more positive character in the relationship between the two of them, yet towards the end of the play becomes a lot more melancholic. Suggests that he more intellectual and aware of the situation the two of them are in. [suggested in his monologue towards the end of the play]. Often looks up towards the sky as if contemplating something or perhaps looking for an answer in the universe. He is standing Estragon is constantly sitting down, might suggest that he has more power in their relationship. If there were a hierarchy, he would be on top of Estragon, in their small universe. He seems to be the most rational of the pair, yet also the more short-tempered of the pair.

Estragon One of the two thieves at Christ’s crucifixion. Boot – represents the ‘earthly elements’. “Nothing to be done” “Certainly they beat me” – who is “they”? Beaten = life with two meanings, both physical and mentally. “Ditch” – represents life, once Estragon falls into it, he gives up, like taking off his boot. “We’ve no rights anymore?” – WWII has taken away their ‘rights’. Historical perspective.

Relationship “So there you are again.” “Am I?” – Questions existence, this is the absurd, yet true. How do we know what we are? Who are we? “it’ll pass the time” – Vladimir says this, even though it is obvious that time is ‘infinite’ in the book. Like brothers hence the constant ‘embracing’ and confiding each other’s nightmares and thoughts.

Stage Directions: Vladimir [He takes off his hat, peers into it, feels about inside it, shakes it, puts it on again, paces agitatedly back and fro] [He fumbles in his pockets] [Looking around] [Vladimir uses his intelligence] – although the play suggests that Vladimir is the smarter of the two characters, this is still as simple directions and implies that Vladimir is not smart.

Stage Directions: Estragon [Giving up again]- Estragon has given up before, this is just a repeat of days gone by. [exhausted, rests, tries again. As before]- represents struggle through life, like struggling to take off a boot. [gestures towards the universe] – this can be taken in a scientific sense – relates to Vladimir’s hat. [having tried in vain to work it out] – shows how Estragon isn’t the smartest.

Described by Others: Vladimir Estragon looks up towards him, some sort of role model, he is the one that has the food, which Estragon has to ask for, suggesting he is the more responsible of the two.

Described by Others: Estragon Not very bright, although Vladimir isn’t much smarter than he is. Sense of some logic/common sense. Hungry – Carrot, chicken bones etc. Heavier than Vladimir. Not good at remembering, forgetful. Body without mind. Vladimir is his ‘memory’.

Actions and Speaks to Others: Vladimir [Looks down at estragon] – when speaking to him, suggesting once again the idea of a hierarchy. Also he often tells him what to do. Short sentences on pages 5 and 6. The pair is talking about trees. Finish each other’s sentences, suggesting a tight bond between them, or perhaps the exact opposite. Perhaps they are so engrossed in their own chains of thought that they feel as though they are simply expressing themselves, or as if it’s simply just them that’s talking. [looking in hat] could suggests a search of the answer, perhaps being a metaphor for his life, and the fumbling could represent him looking for an answer, it could also represent that he is higher in the pair, in that he is constantly looking at his hat, whereas estragon is always fumbling with his boots.

Actions: Estragon Taking off and putting on his boots. Beckett said that ‘Godot’ came from the French word ‘godillot’ which means military boot. Since Beckett served in the military, waiting for letters and information would have been a form of suffering, similar to that of Estragon. Helping Lucky, but his help is NOT appreciated. Why? Sitting on the mound. “lets go” and not leaving. Wants to hang themselves from a tree.

Monologue: Vladimir Was I sleeping, while the others suffered? Am I sleeping now? Tomorrow, when I wake, or think I do, what shall I say of today? That with Estragon my friend, at this place, until the fall of night, I waited for Godot? That Pozzo passes, which his carrier, and that he to us? Probably. But in all that what truth will there be? [Estragon, having struggled with his boots in vain, is dozing off again. Vladimir stares at him.] He’ll know nothing. He’ll tell me about the blows he received and I’ll give him a carrot. [Pause.] Astride of grave and a difficult birth. Down in the hole, lingeringly, the gravedigger puts on the forceps. We have time to grow old. The air is full or our cries. [He listens.] But habit is a great deadener. [He looks again at Estragon.] At me too someone is looking, or me too someone is saying, he is sleeping, he knows nothing, let him sleep on [Pause.] I can’t go on! [Pause.] What have I said?

Personal Interpretation: Estragon Theology: He is one of the two thieves that die beside Jesus. In Waiting for Godot, one of the thieves is NOT saved, could this be Estragon? Evidence: Always being beaten up/hurt. The men are suffering, because all men are sinful, and Estragon’s pain is possibly divine retribution for his sins. Science and Humanities: Estragon represents human-kind and our lack of ‘knowing’. Evidence: Not the brightest member of the cast. Life: The story shows the hopelessness of life. They need each other to pass the time, which is why they never separate.

Personal Interpretation: Estragon Irony: The closer they come towards death (which is desirable), the less likely Godot will arrive in time. Killing themselves: This is the ultimate escape from the ‘trap’ they are in. In a theological reading, the arrival of ‘God’ or ‘Godot’ would have symbolized their death, since God operates outside of time. Yet, God/Godot never comes, so the two are doomed for eternity.