Q: WHO IS GODOT IN "WAITING FOE GODOT" BY SAMUEL BECKETT?

Q:     WHO IS GODOT IN "WAITING FOE GODOT" BY SAMUEL BECKETT?

Q:     WHY GODOT IS SO PUZZLING AND WHAT PARTICULAR PURPOSES ARE

ACHIEVED BY BECKET TO MAKE IT SO MYSTERIOUS?

Q:     GIVE A SATISFACTORY DISCUSSION ON THE EXISTENCE OF GODOT?

Ans:

Ever since its first production "Godot" has been a puzzle for critics. In 1958 Beckett was asked to explain Godot's character. The dramatist promptly replied, "If I know I would have said so in the play". This is to say in other words that Godot could be interpreted in many ways. To whatever extent we stretch our imagination it is never clear who he is? The majority of the critics are, however, of the view that Godot is God whom human being asks for help when they are helpless and miserable.

What we learn from the play is that Godot has made a promise to Vladimir that he would see him and Estragon near a tree on a country road. In compliance Vladimir and Estragon are waiting for Godot's arrival. They have a faint hope that Godot might bring some change in their lives. It is ironic that they do not know exactly what they would ask him for? Vladimir says, "Too nothing definite". Godot did not promise anything to him. He is in absurd situation. The question arises, when the tramps know that Godot will not bring any change in their lives, then why do they wait for him? The answer is simple. Estragon and Vladimir wait for him as a mother of habit exactly in the manner as human beings think that some superpower can rescue them from the terrible situation in which they find themselves.

The play clearly shows that Godot has his own limitations. Before making a firm promise to the tramps, he has to consult his family, friends, agents, correspondents, books and bank accounts. From these details, the impression, which we get, is that Godot is either a bureaucrat or a minister. If Godot is God, then he is a bureaucrat God that is quite whimsical. Moreover, he has no sense of justice. He beats the shepherd boy for nothing. Lucky in his famous speech refers to personal God of men who is, of course, incapable of fairness. It means that God is not a time judge, because he rewards one with grace but punishes the other for nothing. If this interpretation is true, one thing becomes clear that "Waiting for Godot" is a satire on Christian concept of hope and salvation. But this critical judgment cannot be supported by further proof. Thus, the connection between God and Godot is immaterial. Certainly there is little resemblance between the two. Another interpretation of Godot is that he is a symbol of power and authority.

This can be confirmed from the dialogues of Vladimir and Estragon when Pozzo appears on the scene with a whip in his hand, they take him for Godot later on, and they themselves reject their assumption. At this point in the play another description makes us to imagine 'Godot' as God. The boy informs that Godot has white beard and has mastery over goats and sheep. According to biblical connotation human beings are the flock of God to whom people normally turn when they are in trouble. But the play is a tragedy in which no one comes to their rescue.

Godot can be interpreted in still another way. His arrival can be identified with prosperity and happiness. As no change occurs and nobody comes, this interpretation is also undependable. Psychologically, Godot could be unconscious of man. He is as inaccessible as the sub-conscious of man. But the physical descriptions with clear-cut features such as white beard do not support this meaning. Of course, it is highly illogical to gather our impression of Godot and show him to have any similarity or resemblance.

According to some critics, Godot's failure to come is bitter comment of the second coming of Christ. This meaning is also purely fanciful because the act of waiting is essentially an obscure act. The purpose of waiting has never been defined by Beckett.

In finale, we can reassert our first contention that Godot is an enigma, a mystery, and a puzzle.