Religious significance in Waiting for Godot
Waiting for Godot is a notable literary work by Samuel Beckett. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of Waiting for Godot.
Answer
Do you find any religious significance in Waiting for Godot? Discuss.
Or, what does the waiting signify in Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot”?
Samuel Beckett (1906 -1989) is an Irish renowned playwright and novelist. “Waiting for Godot” is his best work. The play is one of the classical works of absurd theatre. It is a multi-layered drama with many interpretations. The play may seem absurd, but with deep religious connotations, it can be associated with many religious interpretations, such as the Christian myth of two thieves, waiting for the second coming of Jesus Christ, etc.
Interpretation of Christian Myth: The theme of the two thieves on the cross, the theme of uncertainty in the hope of salvation, and the opportunity for divine grace have really spread the whole drama. The two characters, Vladimir and Estragon, have been shown as vagrants. In the beginning, Vladimir refers to this:
“One of the thieves was saved. It’s a reasonable percentage.”
In Act One, he mentions it several times. Even Vladimir has been seen talking about repentance. He tells Estragon several times to wait for Mr. Godot, and when Estragon asks the reason, he says, Mr. Godot, otherwise punish them! Although Beckett writes these dialogues in a very funny and lighthearted way, this has a strong meaning. This means that Vladimir has a belief in myth, and he is eager for salvation. He wants to be one of the thieves who was saved.
Biblical elements: The play has many Christian ideas. It also deals with many biblical elements and symbols. At the beginning of the play, Vladimir asks Estragon whether he has read the Bible. Throughout the play, the biblical and Christian elements are presented with many symbols. The background image of the ‘tree’ has multiple meanings, and religious interpretations can be seen as it is the image of the cross, where Jesus Christ was crucified. Their anticipation also reflects the early biblical concept of Christ’s return on the Day of Judgment or Doomsday.
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