1. Warming up with three good things
2. Watching brief film clip echoing Friday's performance
- Find one passage (dialogue or stage directions) from what we've read that connects to one of the focus questions.
- Pose a Socratic-style question on that passage on our class blog.
4. Wrapping up with a reply to someone else's blog post
HW:
If you have not yet e-mailed me your culminating essay outline, please do so today.
If you have completed your outline, start composing your essay (final draft due April 24).
What does the tree that they are waiting under symbolize?
ReplyDeleteWhat is the significance of the play's setting including a single tree?
ReplyDeleteWhy did Beckett remove almost all signs of emotion from this play?
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting point. It seems like Beckett wants to leave everything open to interpretation--even for the characters in the play.
Delete"Estragon: What did we do yesterday?
ReplyDeleteVladamir: What did we do yesterday?"
What is the purpose of Vladamir and Estragon never having a decisive answer to each other's questions?
When the two of them talk about hanging themselves from the tree, it seems that this tree is the only bit of hope for anything. They think it would be better to hang themselves, but at the same time it is the place that Godot is supposed to be. What does the tree symbolically stand for at this point?
ReplyDeleteI think that the tree is literally and figuratively the only tangible and distinct part of the scenery. It is the only thing that stands out to them. Sort of like how Godot seems to be the only goal they have that stands out? I think the tree symbolizes the scarceness of hope and purpose in the play.
DeleteI was wondering that too. I think the tree now is more of a burden than hope because Godot hasn't shown up yet and maybe he never will.
DeleteMaybe the tree represents what is yet to come. They decide not to kill themselves, yet death is still inevitably on the horizon, as is Godot, maybe Godot and the tree both symbolize the coming of death.
DeleteWhy is "Hurt? He wants to know if it hurts" repeated?
ReplyDeleteIn light of Pozzo's treatment of Lucky, it seems that Beckett may be addressing the issues of suffering and empathy in this play. Pozzo seems oblivious or uncaring to the pain he is causing his long time companion/slave. Vladimir and Estragon, to a lesser extent, may be ignoring each other's pain.
DeleteThe stage directions on page 1-2, [irritably]...[hurt, coldly]...[admiringly], present feelings and a sense of emotion rather than directions or movements as is normal in plays. Why does Beckett make certain that the audience knows the emotional tone of the words and how does this contribute to aspects of absurd theater?
ReplyDeleteWhat does the movement (or lack thereof) and monotonous scenery in the play emphasize about the characters or their lives?
ReplyDeleteI think it just shows they live simple lifestyles and that they don't overcomplicate things
DeleteWhat significance do the boots have in the beginning of the play? Do they have a bigger meaning or represent something that will be useful further in the poem
ReplyDeleteI thought about this also... I said it might be trying to show his vulnerability or expose him to something
DeleteHow does Beckett opening up with “together again at last” contribute to his theme of symbiosis?
ReplyDeleteWhat is the significance of the struggle of pulling off the boot? Will it maybe have to do with exposing Estragon or showing his vulnerability?
ReplyDeleteWhy is Estragon not able to take off the boot on his foot? Could this have some significance to the setting he is in?
ReplyDeleteI think that this might have to do with the theme of symbiosis. Estragon needs Vladimir to help him.
DeleteAre Vladimir and Estragon waiting for life or death?
ReplyDeleteThat's a really good question that I hadn't really thought about but since they are afraid of Godot and waiting for him maybe he symbolizes death? Or at least a death of something/ a transformation of something especially since they are both
Delete*they both appear very close minded
DeleteIt's really interesting that you asked this. I think this is hard to answer because it seems like Vladimir and Estragon are unsure about what they are waiting for. I don't think you can wait for life or death, because those two are inevitable - although you can escape life you can't escape death. They might be waiting for something in between life and death.
DeleteOn page 8, it describes Estragon with a gesture towards the universe. Why mention such a large and complex setting when the real setting is simple and set?
ReplyDeleteVladimir: But one of the four says that one of the two was saved.
ReplyDeleteEstragon: Well? they don't agree and that's all there is to it.
Vladimir: But all four were there. And only one speaks of a thief being saved. Why believe him rather than the others?
Estragon: Who believes him?
Vladimir: Everyone. it's the only version they know.
What does this exchange argue about universal truth in the context of absurdism?
To me,this play seems to argue that we are all waiting for an objective, universal truth that will never come. Loke Estrogan and Vladmimir, humans are full of questions that will probably never get answered.
DeleteOn page 4 Vladimir asks "Ah yes, the two thieves. Do you remember the story?" Estragon says no and Vladimir asks if he should share the story with Estragon. Again Estragon says no yet Vladimir disregards this and tells him anyway. What is the purpose of these questions if the answers have no value? Why does Vladimir just tell him the story in the first place?
ReplyDeleteI've realized a thing they do frequently is say the don't know, but then when the other continues, they are able to add more details. It seems like their initial reaction is to try and end the conversation, but they aren't able to stop talking.
DeleteI had a similar question as well. I'm beginning to think, as strange as it is, that the characters are intentionally as vauge as possible. Eventually, I think it may tie into the idea of neverending waiting and perhaps neverending questions that never have any definitive answer. I want to pay careful attention to the questions througout the progression of the play.
DeleteI might need my Biblical scholars to chime in here, but I think this may be a religious reference. I'm noticing that there several allusions to the Bible, but they never seem to go anywhere (much as V and E never seem to get anywhere, literally nor in their questioning). There seems to a void of larger meaning here...
DeleteWhy are there no stage directions or visible emotion written in for the characters? Why is everything left up to the actors?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the significance of Estragon's inability to take off his boot in the beginning?
ReplyDeleteI think it ties into Beckett’s theme of symbiosis.. he is dependent on others and needs the help of others to achieve what he wants.
DeleteOn page 4, Valadimir brings up the story about the two thieves. Although he never finished the story, it seemed to be very important to Valadimir. What is the purpose behind this story and why did he bring it up?
ReplyDeleteThe entire play seems to be built around the use of improvisation. Why use this varied form of speech in the play, and what greater meaning does it convey?
ReplyDeleteI think that the use of the short nonsensical sentences builds on the structure of the theater of the absurd. The lack of direct meaning and the redundancy that these lines brings up makes the audience aware that they relate more to these people than other plays where the sentences are crafted. In real life I think that conversations tend to be more like this play, improv, than others and Beckett is suggesting that we are somewhat like these characters.
DeleteI think this is to give the audience more of an interpretation of what is going on. The play is very convoluted in its message as is, and the lack of emotion almost allows for more understanding because of the fact that the audience is actually able to interpret some from of knowledge from the play. This perception allows for a minimal level of interpretation overall, but is better than no level of interpretation.
Delete