“I remember the maps of the Holy Land”- Explain

Answer

 “I remember the maps of the Holy Land. Colored they were. Very pretty. The Dead Sea was pale blue. The very look of it made me thirsty. That’s where we’ll go. I used to say, that’s where we’ll go for our honeymoon. We’ll swim. We’ll be happy.”- Explain.

The quote is taken from Samuel Beckett‘s (1906-89) play “Waiting for Godot“. In this brief but remarkable quote, Vladimir reflects on a time when he had access to coloured maps of the Holy Land. This recollection serves as a momentary escape from the bleak and repetitive existence that he and his companion, Estragon, are trapped in as they wait for someone named Godot.

The colourful maps of the Holy Land symbolize a distant and idyllic place, starkly contrasting the desolate and barren landscape where Vladimir and Estragon find themselves waiting. The mention of the Dead Sea as “pale blue” arouses a sense of beauty and tranquillity. It suggests that the memory of this place brings comfort and hope to Vladimir. Vladimir’s mention of going to the Dead Sea for their honeymoon adds a touch of irony and absurdity to the situation. 

The idea of a honeymoon is typically associated with happiness, love, and new beginnings; however, in the context of “Waiting for Godot,” the characters are attached to a never-ending cycle of waiting and uncertainty. This notion of a honeymoon becomes both comical and tragic. It highlights the characters’ desire for a better life and futile attempts to find meaning and purpose in their existence.

However, this quote highlights the themes of memory, longing, and the contrast between idealized visions of the future and the harsh realities of the present. It also reflects Beckett’s existentialist philosophy, where characters wrestle with the absurdity of life and the human tendency to seek meaning in the face of uncertainty and despair.