This is probably the most confusing thing I've ever read. It starts off simply enough-- two men, who I think are homeless, standing next to a willow tree waiting for a man named Godot. They don't know what Godot will do for them or why they are waiting for him, but they wait anyways.
The first thing that caught my attention was names of the characters. You have Vladimir (Russian), Pozzo (Italian), Estragon (which, after some fun Google searching, is French for Tarragon, which is a type of herb) and Lucky (English). My mind immediately went to World War II. Lucky is a slave to Pozzo, who represents Italy, while Estragon and Vladimir are homeless men. To me this is a reference to life in these countries after the War. Russia and France both experienced huge problems after the war that may have resulted in Beckett's portrayal of them. While Russia wasn't as badly destroyed as some other countries, its political atmosphere was made worse. Communism rose even faster, leaving a sense of homelessness to those living there. It lost what once made it just and safe. France, on the other hand, was ravaged by German troops, and many civilians were killed in both the war and the holocaust. One of the biggest battles (arguably the most prolific of the war) was on Pont Du Hoc in France.
Estragon's name is also a reference to nature and leaves and earth, and he happens to be the first person to notice the Willow tree, which according to the footnote is a reference to grief.
Lucky is a slave to Pozzo, and at the end of the act he finally speaks. It starts off normal enough.
"Lucky: Given the existence as uttered for the in the public works of Puncher and Wattmann..." until it becomes confusing and incoherent at the end "... abandoned unfinished the skull the skull in Connemara in spite of the tennis the skull alas the stones Cunard tennis... the stones... so calm... Cunard... Unfinished."
Perhaps Beckett is trying to allude to English politics as being incoherent and just organized noise?
What is this play about? What is going on? Who is Godot? Why are they there?
First off, this story is ridiculous. But I wrote about the significance of Godot. Godot has the word God in the name, Estragon and Vladimir could be waiting for God, but who knows. I also don't see any significance with the encounter with Pozzo and Lucky, like what the heck?!
ReplyDeleteI never would have made such a connection to WWII on my own. This entry really made me think about the play in a different light. But concerning your questions, I don't think this play has a significant meaning, other than to point out the fact that there is no meaning. Another element of post-modernism is existentialism that says the world is incoherent and holds no universal meaning--much like this play. As for the plot, I can only tell you the obvious that you already seem to know: two homeless men wait for a man named Godot, and are visited by three other interesting characters. The plot does not seem significant, adding to the lack of meaning in the play.
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