Human Life and Characters Essay

Total Length: 897 words ( 3 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 1

Page 1 of 3

Waiting for Godot' is a story about two apparently homeless men, Estragon and Vladimir, who wait for something or someone called 'Godot'. The two wait on a desolate expanse of the road beside a tree, resulting in a drama woven out of the men's consciousness. The tale takes the shape of an amusing repartee of dreamscapes, poetry, and nonsense, interpreted by scholars as a solemn summary of humanity's endless pursuit of meaning (Goodreads, 2015).

Characters

Vladimir and Estragon

Vladimir is compared to our brain, and frequently attempts to enlighten others on the goings-on in his surroundings, using proofs to back his assumptions. However, these scientific and rational attempts fail to generate any concrete insight -- by the tale's ending, he appears to be less certain than he initially was. Estragon and Vladimir are equally reliant on one another: whenever Estragon goes missing from the scene, even for a short while, Vladimir gets panicky, owing to his strong phobia of desertion and loneliness (Litcharts, 2014).

When Estragon is by himself, he is portrayed as quite helpless. At the story's outset, for instance, he struggles with as simple a task as removing his boots. Unlike Vladimir, Estragon doesn't have any understanding of time. The second act depicts him getting confused about whether it's morning or evening.
He repeatedly expresses his desire to leave; however, every time, his companion keeps reminding him of the need to wait for the arrival of Godot. Estragon is the slow-witted counterpoint to Vladimir, but can still match the latter's verbal wit. He, apparently, was a poet at some point in life (Litcharts, 2014).

Obstacle

All through the story, it is indicated that Estragon and Vladimir desire, but fail to achieve grace -- they are forever estranged from it. Frequently having suicidal thoughts, the two are stuck in calm inactivity, in a state between despair and hope, as regards their quest for salvation, a quest that is somehow connected to Godot

Action

Action has no significance in the story. The play's characters are undeveloped, impatiently awaiting the mysterious Godot's arrival. Godot can be anyone, right from a local landlord to a spiritual entity. They nibble carrots, take rest, and carry out other mundane activities. The conversations they engage in, in the meantime, reflect how helpless their situation is.

Godot

Objective

As the name 'Godot' resembles 'God', scholars normally interpret him as God's pessimistic version, in the author's view, a savior who is always absent and never aids the suffering of humanity (Litcharts, 2014).

Obstacle

Godot is, evidently, an ever-present, all-knowing and all-seeing personal God minus.....

Show More ⇣


     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Human Life And Characters" (2016, October 05) Retrieved May 17, 2024, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/human-life-characters-2162842

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Human Life And Characters" 05 October 2016. Web.17 May. 2024. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/human-life-characters-2162842>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Human Life And Characters", 05 October 2016, Accessed.17 May. 2024,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/human-life-characters-2162842