Samuel Beckett's Life and the Absurdity of Waiting for Godot

Samuel Beckett: Life and Works

Samuel Beckett was born in Ireland in 1906. He attended Trinity College, where he studied English, Italian, and French. He taught at Campbell College and the École Normale Supérieure. He met James Joyce in 1926, who became a great influence on his own works. Beckett traveled around Europe before he settled in Paris. He married a French woman in 1961. He was a playwright, novelist, and poet. He wrote most of his works in French and later translated them into English. He received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1969 and died in 1989.

Major Works:

• Eleutheria
• Molloy
• The Unnamable
• Happy Days
• Waiting for Godot

The Theatre of the Absurd

The Theatre of the Absurd points out the meaninglessness of life. Modern life is depicted as alienated, hopeless, and full of confusion. The major preoccupation is the absurdity of human existence and the struggle to make meaning out of the nothingness of life. Man is helpless and hopeless. The dramatists of the 20th century show that the modern world does not have any God directing its affairs, and men are the controllers of their own fate. The audiences were left to draw their own meanings because they weren't obvious.

Synopsis of Waiting for Godot

Two friends, Vladimir and Estragon, are waiting for the arrival of Godot. While they wait, they discuss the essence of waiting. They both don't know who Godot is, but Vladimir is keen on waiting for him. A young boy tells the two friends that Godot will not be coming again. Ultimately, Godot never arrives.

Major Themes in Waiting for Godot

Existentialism and Friendship

Estragon decides to wait with his friend, though he doesn't believe in the coming of Godot. Though Estragon is more rational, he stays with his friend, highlighting the importance of companionship in the face of meaninglessness.

Use of Symbols: Godot

The major symbol is the invisible character of Godot. We never know who he is, but it seems that the characters are waiting for him to affirm their existence in life and to give meaning to who they are.

Key Characters

Vladimir (Didi)

• Also known as Didi.
• Understands that he needs supernatural help in order to find meaning and purpose in his life.
• Looks like someone who doesn't know what he is doing, as there is no physical evidence to support his claims.
• Is Estragon's conscience and tells him that life is nothing without something to look out for.

Estragon (Dodo)

• Known as Dodo.
• His physical limitations are never-ending, and his understanding of the world is about his present suffering.
• Doesn't know that physical limitations are just distractions that take his mind off the purpose of his existence.