Waiting for Godot as a reflection of existential themes
Waiting for Godot as a reflection of existential themes: “Waiting for Godot” is a play in which Samuel Beckett
adopted the doctrine of existentialism. Critics call it one of the prominent
existentialist plays that demonstrate theme of existentialism as main story of
the play. However, certain elements are there in it that reveal theme of
nihilism too. Nihilism and existentialism are two distinct things still it
seems that Samuel Beckett combined them in order show superiority of
Existentialism. Some of the critics are of the opinion that “Waiting for Godot”
is neither entirely on existentialism nor entirely on nihilism but somewhere in
between.
Waiting for Godot as a reflection of existential themes: Jean Paul Sartre and Martin Heidegger presented
theory of existentialism in which they stated that humans had been thrown in a
meaningless universe in which they had no purpose at all. They were put in
absurd situation by an unknown force and were living in mental pains and
sufferings. Life is terrible or not, it is not the topic relevant to theory of
existentialism. Hence, main reason behind sufferings of humans is not the
terrible world but that they are freely living in it. They are free to choose
but irony is that no choice is given to them but existentialism
believes that even not making a choice is a choice. In concise words,
existentialism is theory that believes “man is what he does”.
Waiting for Godot as a reflection of existential themes: “Waiting for Godot” is indeed a play that demonstrates theme
of existentialism. Two main characters of the play named as Vladimir and
Estragon are put into an absurd situation just like humans have been put in the
world without any purpose. In whole play they do nothing to change their
miserable condition. Existentialism emphasizes on the practice of doing
something and creating a purpose while accepting existence in this world.
Hence, they have freewill to make their life better. They can come out of this situation
and can give their lives a meaning but they do nothing. Estragon’s dialogue is
notable in this regard. He says:
Nihilism in “Waiting
for Godot”:
Waiting for Godot as a reflection of existential themes: Nihilism means nothing. It determines that humans exist in
this world is enough. They should not do anything because everything they do is
meaningless. “Waiting for Godot” portrays theme of despair as well as concept
of nihilism. Estragon and Vladimir do nothing. Play starts with nothingness and
ends with nothingness.
Waiting for Godot as a reflection of existential themes: Still this play does not promote theory of nihilism. Two
tramps do nothing even then they are doing something. They are waiting for
Godot. They have set a purpose for them through which they accept their
existence. Furthermore, they are finding their identities. They are unable to
find answers of their questions and the only reason due to which they are not
successful is that they are confused.
In addition, they are christian by religion and believe on
existence of god which is opposite to the concept of nihilism. Theory of
existentialism also does not believe on existence of God. However, there is a
type of existentialism that do so. It is called “Christian Existentialism”.
“Waiting for Godot”, in this way, demonstrates this type of existentialism.
Christian
Existentialism “Waiting for Godot”:
Waiting for Godot as a reflection of existential themes: Believing on existence of God does not change meaning of
existentialism. Characters are finding their purpose in this world. They want
answers of their questions like who they are and why they are here? It is,
therefore, Estragon says:
“Waiting for Godot” is a situation that has no begging and
no end. Tramps don’t know about their past nor are they sure about their
future. It is a situation which every person in the world facing. Samuel
Beckett also said the same. In his eyes, we are all like Estragon and Vladimir.
Furthermore, he is of the view that the play is more about waiting. Thus, it is
true that they are living in an absurd world that is one of the major
characteristics of existentialism.
“Waiting for Godot” is a situation that has no begging and
no end. Tramps don’t know about their past nor are they sure about their
future. It is a situation which every person in the world facing. Samuel
Beckett also said the same. In his eyes, we are all like Estragon and Vladimir.
Furthermore, he is of the view that the play is more about waiting. Thus, it is
true that they are living in an absurd world that is one of the major
characteristics of existentialism.
Waiting for Godot as a reflection of existential themes: They go on living. They know pointlessness of their
existence still they don’t give up on life. It is main problem that no one is
here to answer the question of human existence in this world. Same is the case
with protagonists of the play; they are waiting for Godot. It is the only way
through which they would know purpose of their lives.
Besides, we see that Estragon and Vladimir are living a
miserable life not because life is the name of pains instead because they are
free. It is also a problem that humans have been given freewill. Lucky is
satisfied with his life as compared to Estragon and Vladimir. Though his life
is tough yet he does not consider it tough. A purpose has been set for him by
his master. On the other hand, Estragon and Vladimir have no purpose. Freewill
is their problem.
They portray a universal problem. Humans are living in this world but why are they living? No one has exact answer of this question. It would have been easier for us if our goals were set. Freewill is our main problem because it has become our duty to find purpose of life. It is primary meaning of existentialism. Samuel Becket clearly shows it in “Waiting for Godot” through Estragon and Vladimir.
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