Christian Symbolism and Godot as God in Beckett's Play

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, he 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. It is therefore 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 ways similar to how God appears in the Old Testament: 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 whether on 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 tends the sheep while his brother manages the goats. Lucky is also cast in a Jesus-like role to emphasize the connection between Godot and Christ. Lucky bears a large cross — the load that Pozzo gives him. However, it becomes clear that, like Vladimir and Estragon, Lucky voluntarily carries the load. They are all martyrs like Christ. Moreover, the word "forsaken" is used to describe Lucky in Act I. The phrase "Why hast thou forsaken me?" is one attributed to Jesus.

Vladimir and Estragon need to be saved, partly because they are like prisoners who wait without knowing for certain whether Godot will arrive. In Act I it is suggested that Vladimir and Estragon have sinned and 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, and so wonders whether it might be original sin. Estragon replies, "Our being born?"

Estragon and Vladimir also make allusions to possible homosexuality. If the two men had a romantic relationship, they might feel like sinners awaiting salvation. In a dreamlike state, Estragon dreams about the Holy Land: "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. At times the tension between Estragon and Vladimir resembles 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), a sentiment he repeats at several points during the play.