The structure of the play is a cyclical format that reinforces the endless waiting Vladimir and Estragon experiences while waiting for Godot. The same pattern of actions are repeated in both acts of the play: it beings with Vladimir and Estragon meeting each other before Lucky and Pozzo arrive, and they attempt to entertain each other after Lucky and Pozzo’s departure. The Boy comes and tells them that Godot will not come “this evening” (48) but “surely tomorrow” (48), and this all repeats at the “Same time./ Same place” (52). Although there is an addition of “four or five leaves” (52) to the tree in Act II to represent the passing of time, this minute change does not alter how Estragon and Vladimir are still waiting for the mysterious Godot.
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The dialogue “Let 's go/ We can 't / Why not? / We 're waiting for Godot” (45) is repeated throughout both acts. Due to this mundane, repetitive conversation, the characters may appear naive and forgetful to the audience. Yet as this dialogue reoccurs throughout the play, and Vladimir and Estragon insist to continue waiting “We’re used to it” (35) Beckett creates a sense of futility and hopelessness with the repetition of this mundane dialogue. This is further demonstrated in a dialogue taking place in Act II:
ESTRAGON: Like leaves. VLADIMIR: Like sand. ESTRAGON: Like leaves. Silence.
VLADIMIR: They all speak at once. ESTRAGON: Each one to itself. Silence. ( 58)
Both character’s sentences repeatedly start the same way as the previous sentence was, rejecting change and the possibility to advance. The speech shows the dullness of the characters ' lives and
Rebecca Guan 2
the unchanged state of their situation. Each character follows their own thoughts while the orchestrated silence, isolate phrases and repetitions remind the audience of how monotonous and tedious life is. Additionally, asides from reflecting the monotonous, cyclic pattern of life, the repetitions in the play are used by the characters in order to pass time and to provide a distraction from the dullness of waiting for Godot. This is illustrated in the instance of Estragon and Vladimir observing the bruises …show more content…
However, I do not believe this can be applied to “Waiting for Godot”. It should be noted that although the repetition of movements are used for comedic effects, the humourous act is utilised to lessen the imbued tension building in the play. As the characters are uncertain of who exactly Godot is, the mischief on stage prevents this uneasiness and uncertainty to be conveyed to the viewers. In this instance, repetition demonstrates the stagnation of the characters’ cyclic situation, and akin to their use of dialogue in the previous paragraphs, they combat silence and emptiness with this act. Hence their elaborate, ritualistic switching of their hats represents mankind’s futile search for answers and attempt to find purpose in
The dialogue “Let 's go/ We can 't / Why not? / We 're waiting for Godot” (45) is repeated throughout both acts. Due to this mundane, repetitive conversation, the characters may appear naive and forgetful to the audience. Yet as this dialogue reoccurs throughout the play, and Vladimir and Estragon insist to continue waiting “We’re used to it” (35) Beckett creates a sense of futility and hopelessness with the repetition of this mundane dialogue. This is further demonstrated in a dialogue taking place in Act II:
ESTRAGON: Like leaves. VLADIMIR: Like sand. ESTRAGON: Like leaves. Silence.
VLADIMIR: They all speak at once. ESTRAGON: Each one to itself. Silence. ( 58)
Both character’s sentences repeatedly start the same way as the previous sentence was, rejecting change and the possibility to advance. The speech shows the dullness of the characters ' lives and
Rebecca Guan 2
the unchanged state of their situation. Each character follows their own thoughts while the orchestrated silence, isolate phrases and repetitions remind the audience of how monotonous and tedious life is. Additionally, asides from reflecting the monotonous, cyclic pattern of life, the repetitions in the play are used by the characters in order to pass time and to provide a distraction from the dullness of waiting for Godot. This is illustrated in the instance of Estragon and Vladimir observing the bruises …show more content…
However, I do not believe this can be applied to “Waiting for Godot”. It should be noted that although the repetition of movements are used for comedic effects, the humourous act is utilised to lessen the imbued tension building in the play. As the characters are uncertain of who exactly Godot is, the mischief on stage prevents this uneasiness and uncertainty to be conveyed to the viewers. In this instance, repetition demonstrates the stagnation of the characters’ cyclic situation, and akin to their use of dialogue in the previous paragraphs, they combat silence and emptiness with this act. Hence their elaborate, ritualistic switching of their hats represents mankind’s futile search for answers and attempt to find purpose in