Representation of Godot in Beckett's play

Waiting for Godot

At the start of Waiting for Godot, Vladimir and Estragon engage in a lucid discussion about the nature of Godot. Godot is described as being in a position of power, especially as he has the ability to make Estragon and Vladimir wait incessantly and without any end in sight. Godot is described like the head of a company or an expert in his field, because Vladimir states in Act I: " I'm curious to hear what he has to offer. Then we'll take it or leave it." Vladimir and Estragon also state that Godot will have to consult "agents," "correspondents," "books," and "bank accounts" before making a decision (Act I). Estragon asks Vladimir to remind him, "What exactly did we ask him for?" (Act I). Vladimir admits that they asked for "A kind of prayer...a vague supplication," (Act I). At this point in the play, it appears as if Vladimir might have corresponded with Godot. Vladimir tells Estragon that Godot responded that "He'll see...he'd have to think it over," (Act I). Whoever or whatever Godot is, Godot has power over the lives of both Estragon and Vladimir. The two men are willing to wait forever, sacrificing their lives in the hopes that Godot will grant their "vague" wishes. Godot therefore represents a distant and impersonal God, one who only occasionally reveals itself to human beings.

Vladimir and Estragon are waiting for Godot to reveal himself, much as Christians wait for the second coming of Christ. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that Godot symbolizes the "God" that is a part of his name. Godot is compared both to Christ and to the Old Testament God. At one point in the play, Vladimir refers to the vengeful God of the Old Testament when he says that abandoning their post will cause Godot to "punish" them (Act II). Godot is also described in similar ways as God is in the Old Testament, such as when the boy in Act II tells Vladimir that Godot has a white beard. When Vladimir asks what Godot does, the boy replies "Nothing," which could refer to God resting on the seventh day of creation. The notion of Godot doing "nothing" could also suggest that God does nothing that human beings could understand.

Godot is also likened to Christ, who has the power to save humanity: Answering the question, "And if he comes?," Vladimir responds, "We'll be saved." The play seems to take place over the course of two different days. On the third day, Christ arose from the dead after the crucifixion. The play ends before Godot arrives, allowing the audience to wonder if the third day he would come as the savior. Imagery related to sheep and shepherds also suggests that Godot is like Christ. The second boy who delivers the message from Godot mentions that he is the tender of the sheep and his brother manages the goats. Lucky is also cast in a Jesus-like role to emphasize the connection between Godot and Christ. Lucky has a large cross to bear, the load that Pozzo gives him. However, it becomes clear that like Vladimir and Estragon, Lucky is voluntarily carrying the load. They are all martyrs like Christ. Moreover, the word "foresaken" is used to describe Lucky in Act I. The phrase "Why hast thou foresaken me?" is one attributed to Jesus.

Vladimir and Estragon need to be saved, partly because they are like prisoners. They wait without knowing for certain whether Godot will arrive. However, in Act One it is suggested that Vladimir and Estragon have sinned and they are awaiting their salvation. Godot represents the salvation of Christ. For example, Vladimir says, "Suppose we repented." Estragon does not immediately understand what he would repent for so he believes it might be original sin. Estragon replies, "Our being born?" Then Estragon and Vladimir make allusions to possible homosexuality. If the two men had a romantic relationship, then they might feel like sinners and are waiting for salvation. In a dreamlike state, Estragon dreams about the Holy Land. He says, "The Dead Sea was pale blue. The very look of it made me thirsty. That's where we'll go, I used to say, that's where we'll go for our honeymoon. We'll swim. We'll be happy." Throughout the play, the two men embrace and are obviously intimate. Sometimes the tension between Estragon and Vladimir is similar to the relationship between spouses. For instance, Estragon says, "There are times when I wonder if it wouldn't be better for us to part," (Act I). Estragon repeats this sentiment at several times during the play. Other homoerotic references include when Estragon first suggests that they hang themselves. Vladimir states, "Hmmm. it'd give us an erection." Estragon is "very excited" at the prospect of an erection and "all that follows," (Act I). The two men muse about the life-giving potential of their semen: "where it falls, mandrakes grow. That's why they shriek when you pull them up." Mandrakes are roots that have the appearance of the human body. Later, Pozzo mentions being created in God's image, which is not just a biblical allusion but also refers back to the imagery of semen. The play also ends with Estragon having his pants down. If Estragon and Vladimir had engaged in sexual relations and were made to feel guilty about their relationship, then they may be waiting for Godot for a sense of personal salvation.

Godot represents God in the play also because he has the power to give and take away life. Pozzo angrily states in Act II, "One day we were born, one day we shall die, the same day, the same second, is that not enough for you?...They give birth astride of a grave, the light gleams an instant, then it's night once more." Pozzo observes that life is not only short but is too complex for human beings to understand. His blindness symbolizes this inability of human beings to understand how God or the universe works. Vladimir agrees that God is in charge of both birth and death -- and that human beings have little control over their lives. He replies to Pozzo, "Astride of a grave and a difficult birth. Down in the hole, lingeringly, the grave digger puts on the forceps. We have time to grow old. The air is full of our cries...But habit is a great deadener." Ironically, it is habit that keeps Vladimir and Estragon waiting for Godot. The two men feel that waiting for Godot will give their lives value. Meeting Godot will be like understanding the will of God.