Point Evidence Explanation
Explore how Beckett presents Context
the theme of companionship in Waiting for Godot. You must relate your discussion to
Introduction // //
relevant contextual factors. Beckett’s mixing of genres: Tragicomedy
Balance Estragon and Vladimir compliment and complete each Beckett continually expressed to Page, who staged a
other. revival of the play in 1964, that moments of the play
should be a tender moment ‘of complete
Estragon compared to a body without an intellect and understanding between the two characters’.
Vladimir compared to the intellect which provides for the Page noticed whilst staging the play that when one of
body, represented by Estragon. the actors decides to set up a hierarchy for the two
characters the force between them becomes
unbalanced. This meant that any alterations in the
balance of Vladimir and Estragon’s relationship would
always upset the dynamics of the duo on stage.
Comedic The hat routine Music Hall comedy (e.g. Laurel and Hardy)
Embrace followed by
comment
Tragic ‘they all change. Only we By staying together, they hinder progressing, because, as a Circus Clowns (funny but sad)
can’t.’ pair they lead static, unchanging lives. Due to the fact that
they believe themselves to be the only ones not evolving,
they choose to stay with each other so as not to feel alone.
If they were to part they would free themselves from this
notion, and as a consequence: change, but by staying
together they avoid change, which only works to
strengthen their bond making it even harder to change.
They would prefer to have someone in a changing world
than go it alone and change themselves. In this sense, they
are trapped in their own need for each other’s company as
each character seeks a constant person in an inconstant
world, and this is the tragedy of Vladimir and Estragon.
Vital to ‘in the meantime, let us Silence would force the two companions to think about Schopenhauer, German philosopher, (Existence is not
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