Waiting for Godot
Ratings217
Average rating3.8
I read this for a play we did at school, and I remember it as enlightening, interesting and weird. However, it was probably 5/6 years ago, so I do want to read it again. I'll probably understand the deeper meaning better now when I'm a bit older
Its an interesting read. It explores many different things while basically being about nothing and it shows how the human psyche works in different situations. But a bit confusing and dull at times.
This was shockingly simplistic, yet heartbreaking at the same time. Suprised it took me this long to read it. I'd highly recommend!
Vladimir : I don't understand.
Estragon : Use your intelligence, can't you?
Vladimir uses his intelligence.
Vladimir : (finally) I still remain in the dark.
The post war desolate atmosphere is thick and wraps everything in the avail of timelessness and mild depression while the two main characters babble their way in circles, sometimes normal, other times imbecile. The humor has roots in the art of making fun of the dumb, the unable and the poor, which I disdain, but it also has some good moments and the language is very quick, and at times impressive, especially since the original was crafted in French.
Ted-Ed says this play is a part of the “Theatre of the absurd” movement and even though I don't really know what that is, it sounds about right. In general, I don't enjoy non sensical tales and didn't expect much from this, but I gave it a try because it is famous and quite short. Oh and if you didn't know, there is a recording of the entire play/movie on YouTube.
Overall, I understand what Beckett was trying to show us about life and time and waiting and wanting and needing and not having and never reaching the end; but having to sit through this felt like I was trapped in there, with him - and perhaps that was intentional, but dear god, let me out.
okay so:
- these 2 guys are waiting for Godot
- this guy and his slave come - the guy abuses his slave, the slave breaks into a dance and says some words that might be symbolic, and then they leave
- a boy comes and says “Godot can't come today, he'll come tmrw”
- the 2 guys are like “kay so like...we'll come back later”
~ curtain drops: intermission ~
- some time has passed (as evidenced by the leaves changing colour... ?)
-the guy and his slave come again except this time the guy is blind and the slave can't talk; the guy doesn't rmbr the 2 other guys
-the boy comes to tell the 2 guys like “yo, i dunno y'all but Godot can't come today, kay bye” and the 2 guys are distraught like “pls! we saw u yday! pls rmbr us!” but the boy has already bounced from the place
-the 2 guys contemplate death but they're like “we don't have a rope... let's come again tmrw to see if Godot comes but if not, we'll also have a rope”
~ curtain drops ~
Honestly sort of hated reading this initially; its heavy emphasis on parentheticals and slapstick that seem to be better acted out than to be read. It's a bit weird, confusing as to what it is even trying to do, and the dialogue runs in circles. But upon further analysis and reading this, my appreciation for it has increased with its surprising philosophical depth that derives from just two people waiting for someone who doesn't exist. Beckett purposely made this as absurd as possible, intending for the audience to be so confused as to what they're even supposed to feel in the moment. Nothing in the play makes sense, and it is almost impossible to make any sense as to what is happening - if even anything has happened at all.
Still, it doesn't make for the most entertaining read as I just felt like I was missing out on all the fun stuff. Slapstick isn't nearly as funny in my head than to see other people do it themselves on stage.
I'm afraid this is one of those terrible, wonderful books. It's terrible because it's the story of two people who are lost and unhappy and confused. It's wonderful because something about the story feels deeply true.
There isn't much plot. It's a play, with a simple setting, and simple dialogue. Two men are standing around, talking “to pass the time,” and waiting for the arrival of the mysterious Godot. They don't seem to know why they are waiting for him; the implication is that Godot will hurt them if they don't continue to wait. Yet he never arrives, and there is little for them to do while they wait.
A few other people arrive and depart, and they, too, seem to have little understanding of their own intentions and actions.
I disliked and liked this play very much. I don't know what to make of it myself.
This play is iconic, so I'm glad I read it. And it is conceptually brilliant, a story about nothing, probably with deep existential themes if I cared to analyze it. But as such, it was painful to read.
What can I say? Bleak? Depressing? Inspires countless personal crises of meaning? My favorite kind of literature! The first time I ever read Waiting for Godot was in high school detention - how perfect.