Waiting for Godot

Synopsis

Subtitled 'A tragicomedy in two Acts', and famously described by the Irish critic Vivien Mercier as a play in which 'nothing happens, twice', En attendant Godot was first performed at the Théâtre de Babylone in Paris in 1953. It was translated into English by Samuel Beckett, and Waiting for Godot opened at the Arts Theatre in London in 1955.

'Go and see Waiting for Godot. At the worst you will discover a curiosity, a four-leaved clover, a black tulip; at the best something that will securely lodge in a corner of your mind for as long as you live.' Harold Hobson, 7 August 1955

'I told him that if by Godot I had meant God I would have said God, and not Godot. This seemed to disappoint him greatly.' Samuel Beckett, 1955

Summary

Chapter 1

* Summary:
* Vladimir and Estragon meet on a desolate country road.
* They wait for a man named Godot, who never arrives.
* They discuss their lives, their boredom, and their futile existence.

* Real Example:
* "Nothing to be done." (Vladimir)
* "Let's go." (Estragon)
* "We can't go. We're waiting for Godot." (Vladimir)

Chapter 2

* Summary:
* Pozzo and Lucky arrive on horseback.
* Pozzo is a wealthy landowner who treats Lucky as a slave.
* They engage in a pretentious conversation about philosophy and literature.

* Real Example:
* "I can't think without my hat." (Pozzo)
* "I have nothing to say." (Lucky)
* "He's my slave. I'm his master." (Pozzo)

Chapter 3

* Summary:
* Vladimir and Estragon are alone again.
* They are visited by a boy who claims to be Godot's messenger.
* The boy says that Godot will come tomorrow, but he is not sure.

* Real Example:
* "My father told me to tell you that he will not come this evening, but surely tomorrow evening." (Boy)
* "Oh, he won't come." (Vladimir)
* "Perhaps." (Boy)

Chapter 4

* Summary:
* Pozzo and Lucky return, but Lucky is now blind and mute.
* Vladimir and Estragon try to help them, but fail.
* Pozzo eventually leaves, and Lucky is left alone.

* Real Example:
* "I'm blind!" (Lucky)
* "Help me!" (Pozzo)
* "We're trying." (Vladimir)

Chapter 5

* Summary:
* Vladimir and Estragon are still waiting for Godot.
* They decide to hang themselves, but they are too hesitant.
* The play ends with them standing motionless on the desolate road.

* Real Example:
* "We should hang ourselves." (Estragon)
* "Yes, let's do it." (Vladimir)
* (They try to hang themselves, but they cannot find a tree that is strong enough.)