Existentialism and Symbolism in Waiting for Godot

Vladimir: The Rational Mind in Crisis

Vladimir represents the rational part of the duo, the mind; however, despite this, he is unable to react and remains powerless. Unlike Estragon, he is more intelligent and is the one who looks after Estragon's physical well-being. He raises philosophical questions but never achieves an answer. His suffering is purely intellectual; an example of this is seen when he fails to understand why Pozzo keeps Lucky as a slave. We can observe Descartes' influence in this character through the lens of "I think, therefore I am."

Pozzo and Lucky: Power and Class Dynamics

Pozzo and Lucky may represent a capitalist-working class relationship; the former enslaves Lucky and gives him leftovers. Paradoxically, despite being in slavery, Lucky considers himself lucky since he does not have to think about existential issues. When Lucky thinks aloud through a "stream of consciousness," we can perhaps see Beckett’s philosophy: he can only think when he has his hat on, discussing God, human anxiety, and a destroyed world: "We become old, then die."

Act Two: Perspectives on Change and Reality

During the second act, we can see two distinct perspectives:

• A positive perspective: Reflected through the four or five leaves the tree now possesses, representing the existential idea that something might change.
• A negative perspective: Clearly shown through Pozzo's blindness and Lucky's dumbness. The former cannot see reality, while the latter cannot express what he thinks about it.

We can relate Hegel’s ideas to the relationship between these two characters, which is based on domination, and his theories regarding suffering in the world as an essential part of achieving freedom.

The Enigma of Godot and Biblical Intertextuality

Godot is not present as a character, and we can deduce that he is not human but a feeling; he is the ultimate representation of waiting.

We also see allusions to the Bible, creating intertextuality within the text. Luke’s parable permits us to see an exemplification of redemption. The idea of suffering is underlined by references to the crucifixion. Another example is the story of Cain and Abel. There are other similarities with Waiting for Godot in works such as "The Death of Ivan Ilyich" by Leo Tolstoy, in which we see the cruelty of men, helplessness, and the absence of God.

Circularity and the Human Condition

In Waiting for Godot, the changes in conversation give the sensation that the play progresses, but the actions and the dramatic situation show that it does not. This fact emphasizes the eternal waiting within an eternal present. Language is reduced to circularity and repetition, and isolation becomes the norm. Furthermore, a sense of blackness is transmitted through irony, dramatic situations, and dark humor.