Short on time?

Get essay writing help

Waiting for Godot as an Existential Play

Topics:
Words: 559
Page: 1
This essay sample was donated by a student to help the academic community. Papers provided by EduBirdie writers usually outdo students' samples.

Waiting for Godot is the conflict between spiritual and philosophical ideas that both demonstrate renewal and diverse perspectives to the viewers. Waiting for Godot was part of the theater of the absurd a movement that appeared after the second world war. This movement looked at artist struggling to find meaning through devastation. The absurdist deconstructed plots and characters to try and find meaning to then share the uncertainty on stage. The play offers a simple question to the audience “What should the characters do?” Waiting for Godot is a tragicomedy with the central focus of the play being nothingness. The play follows the two characters, Estragon and Vladimir, who essentially sit around doing nothing and talking about nothing. However, the play also creates conflict between living by religious and spiritual beliefs or living by philosophies such as nihilism or existentialism. “Vladimir: Let’s wait and see what he says.

“Estragon: Who?

Vladimir: Godot

Estragon: Good ideas.

Vladimir: Let’s wait till we know exactly how we stand.

Estagon: On the other hand it might be better to strike the iron before it freezes.” This is an example of the two conflicts while Vladimir depends on Godot to inform him of the importance of his own existence versus Estragon who argues they do not have the time to wait and should take action themselves. The cooling iron is a metaphor that suggests to the viewer that humanity does not have time to wait for spiritual ponderings that may offer enlightenment.

Waiting for Godot was writing in 1949 and seem to have a unique phenomenon during times of social and political crisis. The play brought a modernist existential reflection, “They give birth astride a grave,” says Pozzo. “The light gleams an instant, then it’s night once more.” This demonstrates a bleak outlook but it also shows the funny and poetic of the play. This, in turn, revals humanity’s talents for fortitude, amity and keeping going.

Waiting for Godot has a renewal each time the sun sets and then rises again. Time moves in cycles with the same day occurring over and over again. At the end of each day the same boy will come and inform the two main characters that they will have to come again the next day to see Godot. The interruption occurs when night falls the disappointment of Godot not arriving and the day starting once again the same way the and still waiting, this is where the plays circular structure occurs. This essential allows for the repetition of conflict between philosophies and spiritual ideas as we see the continuing argument between Vladmir, who wants to wait, and Estragon, who wants to leave,

Save your time!
We can take care of your essay
  • Proper editing and formatting
  • Free revision, title page, and bibliography
  • Flexible prices and money-back guarantee
Place Order
document

“Estragon: Let’s go.

Vladmir: We can’t.

Estragon: Why not?

Vladmir: We’re waiting for Godot.”

Beckett deliberately uses an unconventional structure to challenge literary conventions to demonstrate the meaningless of life and the repetitiveness of waiting. Waiting for Godot’s structure moves in a circular motion,

“Vladimir: Well? Shall we go?

Estragon: Yes, let’s go.

Stage directions: They do not move.” This challenges literary conventions as there is no character development or plot movement but rather moving around in circles which in turn demonstrates the nihilistic theme throughout the play. Beckett demonstrates a nihilistic vision with the avoidance of metaphysical archetypes and connecting structure such as redemption of hope after despare.

Make sure you submit a unique essay

Our writers will provide you with an essay sample written from scratch: any topic, any deadline, any instructions.

Cite this Page

Waiting for Godot as an Existential Play. (2022, Jun 09). Edubirdie. Retrieved March 28, 2024, from https://edubirdie.com/examples/waiting-for-godot-as-an-existential-play/
“Waiting for Godot as an Existential Play.” Edubirdie, 09 Jun. 2022, edubirdie.com/examples/waiting-for-godot-as-an-existential-play/
Waiting for Godot as an Existential Play. [online]. Available at: <https://edubirdie.com/examples/waiting-for-godot-as-an-existential-play/> [Accessed 28 Mar. 2024].
Waiting for Godot as an Existential Play [Internet]. Edubirdie. 2022 Jun 09 [cited 2024 Mar 28]. Available from: https://edubirdie.com/examples/waiting-for-godot-as-an-existential-play/
copy
Join 100k satisfied students
  • Get original paper written according to your instructions
  • Save time for what matters most
hire writer

Fair Use Policy

EduBirdie considers academic integrity to be the essential part of the learning process and does not support any violation of the academic standards. Should you have any questions regarding our Fair Use Policy or become aware of any violations, please do not hesitate to contact us via support@edubirdie.com.

Check it out!
close
search Stuck on your essay?

We are here 24/7 to write your paper in as fast as 3 hours.