Assignment - 2 - Nothingness in ‘Waiting for Godot’ by Samuel Beckett

 TOPIC OF THE BLOG:-

This blog is part of an assignment for the paper  107 - The Twentieth Century Literature: World War II to the End of the Century, Sem - 2, 2023.

NOTHINGNESS IN ‘WAITING FOR GODOT’ 

BY SAMUEL BECKETT

Table of Contents:-

• Personal Information
• Assignment Details
• Abstract
• Keywords
• Introduction
• Background of The Play ‘Waiting for Godot’
• Samuel Beckett
• Nothingness in Characters
• Structure of The Play
• Language of The Play
• Symbols and Imagery
• Conclusion
• Works Cited

Personal Information:-

Name:- Pooja Anilbhai Bhuva

Batch:- M.A. Sem 2 (2022-2024)

Enrollment Number:- 4069206420220005

E-mail Address:- poojabhuva2002@gmail.com

Roll Number:- 15

Assignment Details:-

Topic:- Nothingness in ‘Waiting for Godot’ by Samuel Beckett 

Paper & subject code:- 107 - The Twentieth Century Literature: World War II to the End of the Century & 22400

Submitted to:- Smt. Sujata Binoy Gardi, Department of English, MKBU,

Bhavnagar

Date of Submission:- 31st March, 2023

About Assignment:- In this assignment I described Nothingness and Meaninglessness in the Characters, in the Play, in the Structure and in the Language. 

Abstract:-

To understand the Play or any work Background is as necessary as the characters of the play, as well as a bit of information about making the work more interesting. Characters like Vladimir, Estergon, Pozzo, Lucky and The Boy who give this play Meaningless and interesting events and dialogues. Normally, the structure of the play is also noticeable as the play but here just a barren road lives with the characters from the start to end. Language of the play is very different from other plays which make this play different, meaningless and uninteresting.

Key Words:-

Nothingness, Meaninglessness, absurdity, slavery, stupidity.

Introduction:-

If we see a bit about the background of the play "Waiting for Godot" has had a significant influence on the development of theater in the 20th century, particularly in the development of the absurdist and existentialist movements. It has also been the subject of numerous critical analyses and interpretations, and its themes of nothingness, despair, and the search for meaning continue to resonate with audiences today. The play can gain insight into the different ways that scholars and we have interpreted the theme of nothingness in "Waiting for Godot." This can help us to develop our own understanding of the play and its meaning. 

Background of The Play ‘Waiting for Godot’:-

“Nothing to be done.” 

Play starts with hopelessness through the dialogue of Estragon. "Waiting for Godot'' is a play by Samuel Beckett, first performed in Paris in 1953. It is widely regarded as one of the most significant plays of the 20th century. The play tells the story of two characters, Vladimir and Estragon, who are waiting for the arrival of a mysterious figure named Godot. 

The play's setting is a desolate landscape with a solitary tree, and the characters engage in a series of conversations and actions as they wait for Godot. However, Godot never arrives, and the characters are left to contemplate the futility of their existence and the nothingness that surrounds them. The play's premiere in Paris in 1953 was met with mixed reviews, with some critics dismissing it as nonsensical and others hailing it as a masterpiece. 

However, the play quickly gained a following, and it has since been performed in numerous languages and countries around the world.

Samuel Beckett:-

Samuel Barclay Beckett also known by his short name Samuel Beckett was born on April 13, 1906 in Foxrock, County Dublin, Ireland and died on December 22, 1989 in  Paris, France. He was a famous author, critic, and playwright and also winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1969. He wrote in both French and English and is best known for his plays, especially En attendant Godot (Waiting for Godot) premiered 1952.

Samuel Beckett was born in a suburb of Dublin and grew up in a Protestant, Anglo-Irish family. He went to school at Portora Royal School and later studied Romance languages at Trinity College, Dublin.  After a short stint teaching in Belfast, he became a reader in English at École Normale Supérieure in Paris where he met James Joyce. He returned to Ireland briefly before embarking on a period of travel in Europe. Eventually, he settled in Paris in 1937.  During World War II, Beckett joined an underground resistance group after Germany occupied Paris. When members of his group were arrested by the Gestapo in 1942, he went into hiding and worked as an agricultural laborer until the country was liberated.

NOTHINGNESS IN CHARACTERS:-

Vladimir:-

Vladimir is one of the main characters in Samuel Beckett's play "Waiting for Godot". He is one of two tramps who are waiting for the arrival of a mysterious figure named Godot, who never arrives. The play is often interpreted as a commentary on the human condition and the sense of meaninglessness that can pervade life. 

Vladimir's character can be seen as a contrast to his companion, Estragon. While Estragon is often portrayed as being passive and uninterested in their situation, Vladimir is more active and engaged. He frequently tries to find meaning in their circumstances, and he is often the one who suggests new ideas and plans.  Despite his efforts to find meaning, however, Vladimir is also plagued by a sense of nothingness. He is often pessimistic about their situation and the possibility of finding any true sense of purpose or fulfillment. 

This sense of nothingness is reflected in his frequent questioning of their actions and the meaning behind them.  One of the key aspects of Vladimir's character is his relationship with Estragon. The two are portrayed as being close friends, but their interactions are often strained and unfulfilling. This sense of disconnection underscores the play's theme of the human condition as one of profound loneliness and isolation.

Estragon:-

Estragon is a key character in Samuel Beckett's play "Waiting for Godot". The play is often interpreted as a commentary on the human condition and the sense of meaninglessness that can pervade life. Estragon is a character who seems to embody this sense of nothingness. He is portrayed as being perpetually bored and uninterested in the world around him. He often makes comments about the pointlessness of their situation, stating that they should leave and do something else, but he never takes any action to change their circumstances. 

These dialogues show that every time Estragon forgets and thinks we have nothing to do here.

ESTRAGON: 

Let's go. 

VLADIMIR: 

We can't. 

ESTRAGON: 

Why not? 

VLADIMIR: 

We're waiting for Godot. 

ESTRAGON: 

Ah!

One of the most striking aspects of Estragon's character is his forgetfulness. He frequently forgets what has happened, where they are, and even who he is. This forgetfulness can be seen as a metaphor for the human experience of existential anxiety and the fear of death. It suggests that in the face of the ultimate nothingness of death, all of our memories and experiences become meaningless.

Pozzo, Lucky and The Boy:-

Pozzo is a wealthy and domineering character who serves as a foil to the tramps, Vladimir and Estragon. He represents the power structures and social hierarchies that can contribute to the sense of nothingness in the play. Despite his wealth and power, Pozzo is ultimately as lost and directionless as the tramps.

Lucky is Pozzo's servant and is portrayed as being physically and mentally impaired. He is a slave to Pozzo's will and is often beaten and mistreated by him. Lucky represents the dehumanizing effects of power and the sense of nothingness that can result from being dominated by others. Despite his apparent lack of intelligence, Lucky is able to deliver a powerful and enigmatic monologue that speaks to the existential themes of the play.  

The Boy is a messenger who appears in both acts of the play. He represents the illusory hope that the tramps cling to in their waiting for Godot. The Boy promises that Godot will arrive soon, but he never does, leaving the tramps to confront the sense of nothingness that pervades their lives. The Boy's appearances also serve to highlight the themes of repetition and futility in the play, as his messages and promises are always the same, and yet they are never fulfilled.

In the case of Pozzo and Lucky, the very existence of Lucky doesn’t matter for Pozzo. So, the character of Lucky from top to bottom is nothing for Pozzo, his very own master. Even he says about Lucky when he cries that “Old dogs have more dignity.”

Structure of The Play:-

The structure of Samuel Beckett's play "Waiting for Godot" is a key element in its exploration of the theme of nothingness. The play is divided into two acts, each of which follows the same basic structure. In each act, the two main characters, Vladimir and Estragon, are waiting for the arrival of Godot, a mysterious figure who never appears.  This structure serves to underscore the sense of repetition and futility that pervades the play. The tramps are stuck in a never-ending cycle of waiting, hoping, and despairing, with no clear resolution or escape from their situation. The cyclical nature of the play's structure reflects the sense of stagnation and meaninglessness that can be part of the human experience. 

The play's structure also highlights the importance of language and communication in the search for meaning. The characters frequently struggle to communicate with each other, and their attempts at conversation often break down into nonsense and gibberish. This breakdown of communication reflects the sense of isolation and disconnection that can be part of the human experience, as well as the difficulty of finding meaning and connection in a world that can often seem nonsensical and confusing.

Language of The Play:-

Estragon: Nothing happens, nobody comes, nobody goes, it's awful! 

The language of Samuel Beckett's "Waiting for Godot" is a crucial element in the play's exploration of the theme of nothingness. The play's dialogue is often nonsensical, illogical, and fragmented, reflecting the sense of confusion and meaninglessness that can be part of the human experience.  The characters frequently struggle to communicate with each other, with their conversations breaking down into nonsense and gibberish.

Estragon:- My left lung is very weak! But my right lung is as sound as a bell! 

The language of the play serves to highlight the difficulty of finding meaning and connection in a world that can often seem nonsensical and confusing.  In addition, the play's language is also notable for its use of repetition and circularity. The characters often repeat phrases and ideas, contributing to the sense of repetition and futility that pervades the play.

Symbols and Imagery:-

The symbols and imagery used in "Waiting for Godot" play a significant role in exploring the theme of nothingness. The barren landscape of the play serves as a visual representation of the sense of emptiness and meaninglessness that pervades the play. 

The characters are trapped in this landscape, with nowhere to go and nothing to do, highlighting the sense of stagnation and futility that can be part of the human experience.  The tree that appears in the play serves as a powerful symbol of the cycle of life and death, and of the futility of trying to escape the inevitability of our own mortality. 

The tree is stripped bare of its leaves and fruit, emphasizing the sense of emptiness and nothingness that is at the heart of the play.

Conclusion:-

In short, the language of the play "Waiting for Godot" serves to emphasize the play's themes of nothingness and the human condition. Through its use of nonsensical and fragmented dialogue, as well as its repetition and circularity, the play illustrates the sense of confusion, isolation, and disconnection that can be part of the human experience, and highlights the difficulty of finding meaning and connection in a nonsensical world. Indeed Estragon and Vladimir are the main characters but Pozzo, Lucky, and The Boy are all secondary characters in ‘Waiting for Godot’ who contribute to the play's themes of nothingness and the human condition. Through their interactions with the tramps and their own struggles with power, dominance, and illusion, these characters help to illustrate the emptiness and despair that can be inherent in the human experience.

Works Cited:-

• Beckett, Samuel, and Mary Bryden. Waiting for Godot. 2nd ed., Faber & Faber, 2010.
• Esslin, Martin J.. "Samuel Beckett". Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Dec. 2022, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Samuel-Beckett. Accessed 30 March 2023.
• GONTARSKI, S. E., editor. The Edinburgh Companion to Samuel Beckett and the Arts. Edinburgh University Press, 2014. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.3366/j.ctv2f4vhp9. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.
• Massoud, Mary M. F. “Beckett’s Godot: Nietzsche Defied.” Irish University Review, vol. 40, no. 2, 2010, pp. 42–53. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/29777265. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.

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