Estragon and Vladimir’s Waiting for Godot is everybody’s waiting for something unattainable

Answer

“Estragon and Vladimir’s waiting for Godot is everybody’s waiting for something unattainable.” Discuss. [NU: 2019]

Or, How does the play “Waiting for Godot” represent the human condition? Clarify your ideas with textual references. [NU: 2021]

In life, all people wait for something. It may be success, love, peace, or God. The wait is often long and never ends. In “Waiting for Godot” (1952), by Samuel Beckett (1906-89), Estragon and Vladimir wait for a man named Godot. He never comes. Their wait is like the wait of all people for something they may never get.

Endless Waiting: The whole play happens on a lonely road beside a bare tree. Estragon tries to take off his boots. Vladimir talks about the Bible. Vladimir says almost 7 times, 

“We’re waiting for Godot.” 

They do this for two days. A boy comes and says Godot will come tomorrow. The same thing happens again the next day. No change. No Godot. This shows that, in life, people often wait for years without results.

Hope and Disappointment: Even though Godot never comes, they never stop waiting. Vladimir says, 

“We’ll come back tomorrow.” 

Estragon sometimes wants to leave, but Vladimir reminds him of Godot. Their hope keeps them alive. They believe tomorrow will be better. But every tomorrow is the same. The repeated message from the boy is a constant disappointment. The boy says,

“Mr. Godot told me to tell you he won’t come this evening but surely tomorrow.” 

This is life. People keep hoping for a change, even when nothing changes.

Passing Time with Small Acts: While waiting, they do small things. Estragon struggles with his boots. Vladimir talks about the Bible. They play games, joke, and fight. Pozzo and Lucky come, talk, and leave. These small acts fill the empty time. In life, people also fill their waiting with work, talk, and entertainment. These things help them forget the long wait for something bigger.

All Humans Wait for Something: