This is necessary since no one else in the play ever remembers them: Thus both men serve to remind the other man of his very existence.

Estragon also serves as a reminder for Vladimir of all the things they have done together.

It is as if Vladimir is establishing Estragon's identity by remembering for him. Since Estragon cannot remember anything, he needs Vladimir to tell him his history. And since Vladimir cannot rely on Estragon to remind him of things, he too exists in a state of forgetfulness.Īnother second reason for why they are together arises from the existentialism of their forgetfulness. Vladimir, although possessing a better memory, distrusts what he remembers. Estragon cannot remember anything past what was said immediately prior to his lines. The difficulty for Beckett of keeping a dialogue running for so long is overcome by making his characters forget everything. Thus they engage in insulting one another and in asking each other questions. Since passing the time is their mutual occupation, Estragon struggles to find games to help them accomplish their goal. After Pozzo and Lucky leave for the first time they comment:Īnd later when Estragon finds his boots again: One of the main reasons that they continue their relationship is that they need one another to pass the time. Both Vladimir and Estragon admit to being happier when apart. This mutual desire also addresses the question of why they stay together.

Thus, most of the play is dedicated to devising games which will help them pass the time. Essentially it describes the hopelessness of their lives.Ī direct result of this hopelessness is the daily struggle to pass the time. Vladimir: I'm beginning to come round to that opinion.Īlthough the phrase is used in connection to Estragon's boots here, it is also later used by Vladimir with respect to his hat. Thus the theme of the play is set by the beginning: The subject of the play quickly becomes an example of how to pass the time in a situation which offers no hope. At various times during the play, hope is constructed as a form of salvation, in the personages of Pozzo and Lucky, or even as death. The play revolves around Vladimir and Estragon and their pitiful wait for hope to arrive. Although very existentialist in its characterizations, Waiting for Godot is primarily about hope.

Play waiting for godot