Hello readers! This blog is written in response to a Thinking activity assigned by Dilip Barad sir, English Department MKBU. In this blog I am going to write about Samuel Beckett's play 'Waiting for Godot'.

Waiting for Godot is a play written by Irish playwright Samuel Beckett in 1948-49 that was later translated into English by Beckett himself. It's originally written in French language 'En attendant Godot'. It was performed for the first time in Paris on January 5th, 1953. At its premier, the play shocked its audience as it presented a new type of theater which used very unconventional methods. Beckett's play 'Waiting for Godot' is an example of the Theatre of the Absurd, which includes plays that portray the futility of human struggle in a senseless world. In Waiting for Godot, the protagonists Vladimir and Estragon spend the entire play waiting for a mysterious person named Godot. However, Godot never shows up, and we never learn who he is. By the end of the play, Vladimir and Estragon have learned nothing, have not changed, and are in the same position they were in at the beginning.

The Theatre of the Absurd was an artistic movement of European and American playwrights in the 1950s and 60s, which sought to address the absurdity of existence through their plays. These playwrights were inspired by Albert Camus's definition of the absurd in his 1942 essay ''The Myth of Sisyphus,'' where he compared human existence to the ancient Greek figure Sisyphus's absurd mission of pushing an impossibly heavy rock up a hill. Waiting for Godot is also an example of black comedy, or dark humor, which is comedy that pokes fun at taboo subjects. The play pokes fun at the meaninglessness of existence, as well as death, illness, and suicide.

1) Why does Beckett row a few leaves in Act 2 on the tree- “Tree has four or five leaves”? 

The tree is the only piece of the set in the play, and the entire play takes place next to it. In the first act the tree was leafless but In the beginning of Act II Beckett grows a few leaves as it is said that

    “Tree has four or five leaves”

If we see symbolically The 'Tree' generally represents the 'cross' on which Jesus Christ was crucified. It also serves as a metaphor for the characters’ existence. This “a few” leaves suggests that there may be some positive changes in the lives even if only small, as it said “a few leaves”. It also presents life and death. 

The overall tone of the play remains bleak and hopeless - in this hopeless situation writers present hope through the tree at the end of the play. We can also see this as a cycle of nature. It presents natural law and cycle of season in the play.

2) Can we do any political reading of the play if we see European nations represented by the names of the characters (Vladimir- Russia, Esragon- France; Pozzo-Italy; Lucky- England)? What interpretation can be inferred from the play written just after World War II? Which country stands for Godot?

It is possible to interpret "Waiting for Godot" politically by seeing the characters as representatives of European nations. Where Vladimir represents Russia, Estragon represents France; Pozzo-Italy and Lucky England. However, it is important to note that Samuel Beckett, the play's author, never confirmed any political allegory or meaning.

If we see the characters as representatives of European nations, one possible interpretation is that the play reflects the political and cultural landscape of Europe after World War II. Germany stands for Godot. As Hitler was ruling in Germany, and the way he excommunicated the Jews from his country is very much significant and relevant to the play. Another interpretation is that Godot also represents death or unknown authoritative figures.

3) In Act I , in reply to Boy's question: 

"Boy: what am I to tell Mr. Godot, sir?

Vladimir: Tell him... (he hesitates)... tell him you saw us. (Pause). You did see us, didn't you? "

How does this conversation go in Act II? What is the significance?

Vladimir's hesitation and the pause that follows his response suggest that he is uncertain about what he wants Boy to tell Mr. Godot. This ambiguity is a characteristic of the play, which is known for its absurdist and existential themes. The conversation between Vladimir and the messenger boy in act II is very much significant. When Vladimir asks the boy that has he seen him? He said No. And then when the boy asks him if he wants to convey a message or tell something to Mr. Godot, Vladimir tells him with inner pain  "Tell him... (he hesitates)... tell him you saw us. (Pause). You did see us, didn't you?" In this dialogue the silence, hesitation and pause are more significant. 

4) In both Acts, evening falls into night and moon rises. How would you interpret this 'coming of night and moon' when actually they are waiting for Godot?

Coming of the night and moon presents the natural law and endless passage of time. The rising of the moon could also be seen as a reminder of the cyclical nature of time and the fact that their waiting will continue into another day. it pushes both of them to continue waiting. It also reflects darkness and boredom of both characters. They are waiting for something or someone who may never arrive, and as the night deepens, they may feel increasingly isolated and vulnerable. 

5) What is the meaning of the terms Apathia, Aphasia and Athambia' in Lucky's speech?

"... Divine apathia divine Athambia divine aphasia loves us dearly with some expectations for reasons unknown..."

Apathia: Lack of emotions and concerns - Freedom or release from emotion or excitement.

Aphasia: Lack of Communication - Loss of the ability to comprehend or express speech.

Athambia: Impartibility, To be incapable of being upset or not easily excited.

In Lucky's speech, he said three words like Aphasia, Apathia and Athambia. Aphasia means a loss of speech, an inability to speak or communicate. He addresses the divine in his speech. God doesn't have any concern with us, is not interested in us and cannot communicate with us. Humans are not able to talk with God. Lucky in a way also admits metaphorically that human civilization is gradually becoming wrapped in Athambia, in aphasia as there is no more voice, just a bunch of meaningless words used to fill up space. It is also a satire for human society. 

6) 'A better solution to the tramp's predicament than to wait-is, suicide ". Is it really so? Why they fail to commit suicide?

Here we find existential crises - according to existentialism Suicide is a best way to die. In the play we also see that Vladimir and Estragon try to commit suiside. For both characters suicide may seem like a solution to their problems.

In the play, the tramp and his friend try to hang themselves, but the branch breaks, indicating that their attempt was not successful. This failure may be seen as a metaphor for their inability to escape their current predicament and their continuing reliance on waiting.

7) Explain: "Godot might become an image of what Sartre calls Bad Faith"

Jean-Paul Sartre's concept of "bad faith" refers to a state of self-deception or self-delusion in which individuals deny their own freedom and responsibility for their actions, and instead adopt false beliefs and attitudes in order to avoid facing the anxiety and uncertainty that comes with making authentic choices.

In this context of play, Godot is the one who is believed as a ‘Bad Faith’ by Vladimir and Estragon. They both deceives themselves by the name of Godot- they both believed that they are not free rather bound to the arrival of Mr. Godot. They are not responsible for their actions but Godot because they are following the order of Godot.

8) Explain: "one hardly feels the absurdity of some things, on the one hand, and the necessity of those other things, on the other, (for it is rare that feeling of absurdity is not followed by the feeling of necessity), when one feels the absurdity of those things of which one had just felt necessity (for it is rare that the feeling of necessity is not followed by the feeling of absurdity)"

This quote talks about necessity and absurdity. This statement is quite contradictory which denotes the relation between the feeling of ‘Absurdity’ and ‘Necessity’. The statement also suggests that this process can sometimes be reversed. We might initially feel like something is absurd or pointless, but then as we learn more or start to see its importance, we might begin to feel like it's actually necessary. 

Thanks for visiting my blog!

Words - 1,461

Images - 4

Video - 1