Religious Themes In Samuel Beckett's Waiting For Godot

Samuel Beckett’s ‘Waiting for Godot’ is admittedly one of the most well-known drama around the world. Although at first reading it might seem a bit empty, the book brings up philosophical questions concerning life and death, existence, the passing of time, possibility of free decision-making and also religious and moral issues. However, as we see after finishing reading these questions are – most of the time – left open, therefore giving the readers the chance to develop their own opinion. Even though the mentioned topics are closely connected, in this paper I will mostly concentrate on the religious images and allusions Beckett used in his book and I will try to give some possible interpretations to them so that making this complex and absurd …show more content…
Vladimir: Exactly.
Estragon: And what did he reply?
Vladimir: That he'd see.”
As they imply during their discussions, they are fully dependent on Godot. Without his coming their life is aimless misery, their only hope lies in the visit of this mysterious Godot. Although, they are not sure about his coming neither whether they are at the right place the keep waiting because Godot’s coming seems the only solution to find their way out of agony. By giving such a great significance to him he instantly becomes something more, because an ordinary human being would not be able to save others from misery and decide on their destiny.
Another factor we might take into consideration about this topic is the boy who tells Godot’s message to Estragon and Vladimir. As other studies point it out as well prophets are the only ones having connection with God since they deliver his messages. The boy here takes Godot’s words to the two tramps, that is “Mr. Godot will not come this evening but surely tomorrow” .
Furthermore, the boy also reveals some information about the look of Godot, that is he has white beard which creates and resembles to the imagery of God in the Christian Bible.
„Vladimir: Has he a beard, Mr. …show more content…
Albeit it seems at first that the drama is empty and senseless, if we take into consideration the allusions– for example the ones I highlighted – it becomes clear that Beckett wrote something complex, bringing up serious questions that mirrors the disillusionment and disappointment of everyday people after World War II. In spite of using a lot of biblical and religious elements, it stays an open and unsolved question whether the author wanted to encourage society to believe in the liberator strength of God or, in contrary, wanted to express the human foolishness to be dependent on something that might never happen. Either way, Beckett does not make it clear since – even after the drama ends – we are left alone with several uncertainties from which the most urging is definitely the ambiguity whether Godot finally comes or