You Again Embrace You Waiting for Godot

The store will not work correctly in the instance when cookies are disabled.

• Study Guides
• Students
• Teachers
• Parents
• Districts
• Shmoop

Waiting for Godot Friendship

Previous Side by side

Friendship

Act one

Estragon

ESTRAGON
Wait! (He moves away from Vladimir.) I sometimes wonder if we wouldn't have been better off alone, each one for himself. (He crosses the phase and sits downwards on the mound.) We weren't fabricated for the same route.
VLADIMIR
(without anger) It's not sure.
ESTRAGON
No, zero is certain.
Vladimir slowly crosses the phase and sits downward abreast Estragon.
VLADIMIR
Nosotros can withal part, if you recollect it would exist ameliorate.
ESTRAGON
It's not worthwhile now.
Silence.
VLADIMIR
No, information technology's non worthwhile at present. (i.854-9)

Estragon and Vladimir inquire this question repeatedly in Waiting for Godot: whether or not they would exist better off alone than they are with each other. The reply never seems to change, and is e'er passive or indecisive in nature. Or, in Estragon's before words, they don't do annihilation considering they believe "information technology's safer." Too uncertain to part, and too hesitant to take a existent friendship, the men are left in constant limbo.

ESTRAGON
(restored to the horror of his situation) I was asleep! (Despairingly) Why volition y'all never permit me sleep?
VLADIMIR
I felt lonely.
ESTRAGON
I had a dream.
VLADIMIR
Don't tell me!
ESTRAGON
I dreamt that—
VLADIMIR
DON'T TELL ME!
ESTRAGON
(gesture toward the universe) This one is enough for yous? (Silence.) It'due south not squeamish of you, Didi. Who am I to tell my individual nightmares to if I can't tell them to yous?
VLADIMIR
Allow them remain private. You know I tin't bear that. (1.146-153)

Here we see the incredibly contradictory nature of Vladimir's relationship with Estragon. He wakes him up for company, but can't commit emotionally to listening to the workings of Estragon's subconscious (i.eastward., his dreams).

ESTRAGON
Permit'southward hang ourselves immediately!
[…]
ESTRAGON
Later on you.
[…]
VLADIMIR
You lot're lighter than I am.
ESTRAGON
Merely and then!
VLADIMIR
I don't understand.
ESTRAGON
Employ your intelligence, tin can't you?
Vladimir uses his intelligence.
VLADIMIR
(finally) I remain in the dark.
[…]
VLADIMIR
You're my just promise.
ESTRAGON
(with effort) Gogo light—bender not pause—Gogo dead. Didi heavy—bender intermission—Didi alone. Whereas—
VLADIMIR
I hadn't idea of that. (i.174-189)

This is an interesting exchange. At near every other instance in the play, Vladimir is the more intellectual of the 2 men. Yet here, he needs Estragon to walk him through the scenario. Also, cheque out the line "I remain in the dark." On the one hand, Vladimir is confessing his ignorance; he remains in the dark cerebrally considering he can't figure out what Estragon is talking about. But his response "I remain in the dark" is also the respond to the problem Estragon has proposed: what happens if Estragon goes first? Then the bough holds up and Estragon dies hanging. And so, when Vladimir tries, he is heavier and breaks the bough—leaving him alone and, in a sense, in the nighttime. This isolation for Vladimir would be a worse fate than death.

ESTRAGON
(gently) You wanted to speak to me? (Silence. Estragon takes a step forward.) Yous had something to say to me? (Silence. Another stride forward.) Didi . . .
VLADIMIR
(without turning) I've nada to say to you.
ESTRAGON
(step forward) You're angry? (Silence. Footstep forwards.) Forgive me. (Silence. Stride forrad. Estragon lays his hand on Vladimir's shoulder.) Come up, Didi. (Silence.) Give me your hand. (Vladimir half turns.) Embrace me! (Vladimir stiffens.) Don't be stubborn! (Vladimir softens. They cover. Estragon recoils.) You stink of garlic! (i.164-7)

This time Estragon takes the stride forrard in their friendship. Merely we observe yet another barrier in the manner, this fourth dimension smell. Throughout the play Estragon will repeatedly cite olfactory property as the reason he cannot go close to another, most equally if he is disgusted past others' visceral humanity.

ESTRAGON
Why doesn't he put down his bags?
POZZO
I as well would exist happy to meet him. The more people I meet the happier I become. From the meanest creature ane departs wiser, richer, more conscious of one's blessings. Even yous . . . (he looks at them ostentatiously in plough to make it clear they are both meant) . . . even you, who knows, will have added to my shop.
ESTRAGON
Why doesn't he put downward his bags? (i.405-7)

Pozzo's lines are highly ironic here. He is busy declaring how much he benefits from personal interaction while he directly ignores one) Estragon'southward attempts at communication and 2) the suffering of his slave, Lucky, who is still holding the heavy bags. The way his comment is couched in Estragon's repeated lines is a great example of how construction complements and builds pregnant in Waiting for Godot.

ESTRAGON
(coldly) There are times when I wonder if information technology wouldn't be amend for us to role.
VLADIMIR
You wouldn't go far. (1.154-v)

Vladimir speaks repeatedly of Estragon'south dependence on him. At times this seems warranted, but at other times nosotros wonder whether he isn't but assigning a concrete dependence to Estragon when he himself is emotionally dependent on the presence of another.

ESTRAGON
(on one leg) I'll never walk once more!
VLADIMIR
(tenderly) I'll bear yous. (Pause.) If necessary. (i.459-460)

And yet another instance; Vladimir begins to limited his feelings of friendship for Estragon, but, perchance embarrassed, chop-chop pulls back.

ESTRAGON
(feebly) Help me!
VLADIMIR
Information technology hurts?
ESTRAGON
(angrily) Hurts! He wants to know if information technology hurts!
VLADIMIR
(angrily) No one ever suffers but you. I don't count. I'd like to hear what yous'd say if yous had what I take.
ESTRAGON
It hurts?
VLADIMIR
(angrily) Hurts! He wants to know if it hurts! (ane.23-28)

One of the barriers preventing an authentic friendship between these two men is that neither can truly understand what it means for the other to endure. This sounds a lot like the principal thesis of The Plague, the existentialist work of fiction published just one year before Beckett wrote Waiting for Godot.

Vladimir

VLADIMIR
I'm going.
POZZO
He tin can no longer endure my presence. I am perhaps not specially human being, but who cares? (ane.401-2)

Pozzo directly contradicts his earlier statement that he is merely like Estragon and Vladimir—that they all are made in God's image. He thinks of himself as somehow above mere humans, peradventure even divine. But the line "who cares?" is an interesting one. He may mean to say that he can still relate to the men despite his not being "particularly human," just nosotros tin interpret this in another, less optimistic way: information technology could be that, since men can't connect to 1 another anyway, it doesn't matter whether or not Pozzo himself is human. He's going to exist isolated either way.

VLADIMIR
I'm glad to see you back. I thought y'all were gone forever.
ESTRAGON
Me too. (1.iv-5)

The ambiguity of Estragon's respond (in one of the earliest lines of the play) sets us up for a central dubiety in regards to this friendship. His response "Me also" could refer to Vladimir's claim that he's glad to see him, or information technology could refer to the annotate that he idea Estragon was gone forever. We are forever unsure as to whether these two men achieve a friendship or are emotionally isolated from each other.

VLADIMIR
(exploding) Information technology'due south a scandal!
Silence. Flabbergasted, Estragon stops gnawing, looks at Pozzo and Vladimir in turn. Pozzo outwardly calm. Vladimir embarrassed.
POZZO
(To Vladimir) Are y'all alluding to annihilation in item?
VLADIMIR
(stutteringly resolute) To treat a man . . . (gesture towards Lucky) . . . like that . . . I think that . . . no . . . a human . . . no . . . it'southward a scandal!
ESTRAGON
(non to exist outdone) A disgrace!
He resumes his gnawing. (1.386-nine)

Estragon's chiming in hither is a bright addition to the exchange; he conspicuously holds no genuine concern for Lucky, as he's busy eating his basic while the man is abused. Vladimir, too, is aghast at Pozzo'south treatment of Lucky, simply wait a flake and watch him berate Lucky for mistreating Pozzo. In that location'south no logic or consistency in his business, then his endeavor at sympathy is negated by its applesauce.

VLADIMIR
Together once again at last! We'll have to gloat this. But how? (He reflects.) Get upwardly till I embrace you.
ESTRAGON
(irritably) Not now, not now. (1.6-7)

This early commutation also established an of import dynamic in Waiting for Godot; i man attempts to get closer while the other pulls back. This motif volition repeat itself, though Estragon and Vladimir will ofttimes switch roles.

VLADIMIR
Who told you lot?
POZZO
He speaks to me again! If this goes on much longer we'll soon be old friends. (1.403-four)

Pozzo defines friendship by mere interaction. Communication—even poor communication—is plenty to break isolation, at least in his mind.

Pozzo

POZZO
(halting) You are human beings none the less. (He puts on his glasses.) Equally far as one can see. (He takes off his glasses.) Of the same species as myself. (He bursts into an enormous laugh.) Of the same species as Pozzo! Made in God'south epitome! (1.314)

Pozzo hither admits that, at least biologically, he is exactly the same as Vladimir and Estragon. This seems incompatible with his status as a God, or his conventionalities that he is somehow to a higher place these ii men (and above Lucky, who is as well conspicuously a homo beingness). Just similar Didi and Gogo, Pozzo struggles between a desire to get close to others and a belief that he is somehow carve up from them.

POZZO
Make haste, before he stops. (Estragon approaches Lucky and makes to wipe his optics. Lucky kicks him violently in the shins. Estragon drops the handkerchief, recoils, staggers about the stage howling with pain.) (1.454)

This is a perfect example of the mode isolation works in Waiting for Godot. One human makes an attempt to connect to another, and the 2d human violently pushes him away.

POZZO
Good. Is everybody ready? Is everybody looking at me? (He looks at Lucky, jerks the rope. Lucky raises his head.) Will you await at me, pig! (Lucky looks at him.) Good. (He puts the pipage in his pocket, takes out a little vaporizer and sprays his throat, puts back the vaporizer in his pocket, clears his throat, spits, takes out the vaporizer again, sprays his throat once again, puts back the vaporizer in his pocket.) I am ready. Is everybody listening? Is everybody ready? (He looks at them all in turn, jerks the rope.) Hog! (Lucky raises his head.) I don't like talking in a vacuum. Practiced. Let me see.
He reflects. (1.426)

Pozzo is arguably the loneliest grapheme in Waiting for Godot. While he makes a big show out of interacting with others and praising the benefits of human connexion, he is always focused on himself, not on others. When he says "I don't like talking in a vacuum," it'south clear that his concern is with his own ego, non in whether others hear or benefit from what he is maxim.

POZZO
I exercise. But instead of driving him abroad as I might have washed, I hateful instead of simply kicking him out on his arse, in the goodness of my middle I am bringing him to the fair, where I hope to get a adept price for him. The truth is you tin can't drive such creatures away. The best thing would be to kill them.
Lucky weeps. (i.450)

This brings united states of america dorsum to the earlier commutation in which Vladimir and Estragon contend killing themselves. It became articulate and so that isolation was a worse fate than death, and Pozzo reiterates that here. Lucky'south response—weeping—is unclear. Does he cry at the thought of being driven away? Or of existence killed? Or is he simply distraught that Pozzo no longer wants his company?

POZZO
(He jerks the rope.) Up hog! (Break.) Every fourth dimension he drops he falls asleep. (Jerks the rope.) Upward squealer! (Noise of Lucky getting upwardly and picking upwardly his baggage. Pozzo jerks the rope.) Back! (Enter Lucky backwards.) Finish! (Lucky stops.) Plough! (Lucky turns. To Vladimir and Estragon, affably.) Gentlemen, I am happy to have met you. (Before their incredulous expression.) Yes yes, sincerely happy. (He jerks the rope.) Closer! (Lucky advances.) Finish! (Lucky stops.) […] (Pozzo finishes buttoning up his coat, stoops, inspects himself, straightens up.) Whip! (Lucky advances, stoops, Pozzo snatches the whip from his rima oris, Lucky goes back to his identify.) Yes, gentlemen, I cannot go for long without the order of my likes (he puts on his glasses and looks at the two likes) fifty-fifty when the likeness is an imperfect ane. (He takes off his glasses.) Stool! (Lucky puts down handbag and basket, advances, opens stool, puts it down, goes dorsum to his place, takes up bag and basket.) (1.336)

Notice the same sort of conflict here; Pozzo alternates betwixt treating Lucky every bit scum and declaring that he cannot be without others for company. He is obsessed with what he considers his superiority, merely he can't deal with the loneliness and isolation that superiority brings.

Act 2

Vladimir

VLADIMIR
(vexed) Then why do y'all e'er come crawling back?
ESTRAGON
I don't know.
VLADIMIR
No, simply I do. It's because you don't know how to defend yourself. I wouldn't have let them trounce you.
ESTRAGON
You couldn't have stopped them.
VLADIMIR
Why not?
ESTRAGON
There was ten of them.
VLADIMIR
No, I hateful earlier they crush you lot. I would take stopped yous from doing whatever information technology was you were doing. (ii.24-xxx)

We are told repeatedly that Estragon is dependent on Vladimir, but is Vladimir similarly dependent on Estragon? Information technology well-nigh seems here equally though he needs to exist needed past his companion; that he grasps at a self-designed purpose through his helping Gogo.

VLADIMIR
Nosotros could play at Pozzo and Lucky.
ESTRAGON
Never heard of it.
VLADIMIR
I'll practice Lucky, yous do Pozzo. (He imitates Lucky sagging under the weight of his baggage. Estragon looks at him with stupefaction.) Go on.
ESTRAGON
What am I to practise?
VLADIMIR
Curse me!
ESTRAGON
(afterward reflection) Naughty!
VLADIMIR
Stronger!
ESTRAGON
Gonococcus! Spirochete!
Vladimir sways back and forth, doubled in two.
VLADIMIR
Tell me to retrieve.
ESTRAGON
What?
VLADIMIR
Say, Think, grunter!
ESTRAGON
Recall, pig!
Silence. (2.359-370)

Because they don't know how to have a real relationship themselves, the all-time Vladimir and Estragon can do is imitate what they come across effectually them. The tragedy is that they are imitating an calumniating and unhealthy relationship, as information technology'due south the only instance they take.

VLADIMIR
Make sure he's alive before y'all start. No point in exerting yourself if he's dead.
ESTRAGON
(bending over Lucky) He'due south breathing.
VLADIMIR
So allow him have it.
With sudden fury Estragon starts kicking Lucky, hurling abuse at him as he does so. Only he hurts his foot and moves away, limping and groaning. Lucky stirs. (2.735-7)

It's difficult to reconcile this callous comment (about making sure Lucky is alive) with Vladimir's earlier outrage at Pozzo's mistreatment of Lucky. Yous might want to check out our character assay of Vladimir, where we jump correct into this messy business.

Enter Pozzo and Lucky. Pozzo is blind. Lucky encumbered equally before.
[…]
VLADIMIR
At last! (He goes towards the heap.) Reinforcements at concluding!
POZZO
Assist!
[…]
VLADIMIR
We were showtime to weaken. At present we're sure to see the evening out. (ii.456-63)

This is a smashing instance of the way Vladimir sees other people but for purposes of entertainment. He ignores the fact that Pozzo is blind and that both he and Lucky take fallen helplessly to the ground. Instead, he rejoices that he has something to do to pass the time until evening. In this way, Vladimir could be seen as the most isolated grapheme in Waiting for Godot, since he can't fifty-fifty recognize the humanity of some other.

VLADIMIR
That seems a good idea all right. Only could we do it? Is he really asleep? (Pause.) No, the best would be to take advantage of Pozzo's calling for assist—
POZZO
Help!
VLADIMIR
To help him—
ESTRAGON
Nosotros assist him?
VLADIMIR
In anticipation of some tangible return. (2.520-iv)

This is a lowly depression for Vladimir; while his before focus on the self was indifferent, this ane is malicious—he'southward plotting to dispense another for personal gain.

VLADIMIR
You lot're a hard man to get on with, Gogo.
ESTRAGON
It'd exist better if we parted.
VLADIMIR
You e'er say that and you ever come crawling back.
ESTRAGON
The best thing would be to kill me, similar the other.
VLADIMIR
What other? (Pause.) What other?
ESTRAGON
Similar billions of others. (2.85-90)

Whoa there. Like billions of others? We're thinking this isn't literal. Beginning, let's go back to that line in Human activity 1 when Pozzo says that information technology would be improve to kill Lucky than to send him abroad. Estragon is definitely repeating what he'south heard, even as he denies remembering anything about Lucky and Pozzo from the day before (this denial is what prompts Vladimir to declare he's a difficult man to get along with). It would seem then that Estragon is either mindlessly repeating things, intelligent-parrot-way, or he agrees with the merits that decease is better than isolation. As to the comment about others, Estragon is simply equating his and Vladimir's relationship with all the other "billions" of relationships in the world. The thought that death is better than loneliness, and so, applies to everyone, not just these crazy guys on the stage.

VLADIMIR
Moron!
ESTRAGON
That'due south the idea, permit's abuse each other.
They turn, move apart, plough over again and face each other.
VLADIMIR
Moron!
ESTRAGON
Vermin!
VLADIMIR
Ballgame!
ESTRAGON
Morpion!
VLADIMIR
Sewer-rat!
ESTRAGON
Curate!
VLADIMIR
Cretin!
ESTRAGON
(with certitude) Crritic!
VLADIMIR
Oh!
He wilts, vanquished, and turns away.
ESTRAGON
Now allow's brand it up. (2.413-24)

Information technology'southward as if Estragon and Vladimir use each other only to pass the time; each man is only seen every bit entertainment, non as another existent, genuine homo being.

VLADIMIR
Was I sleeping, while the others suffered? Am I sleeping now? Tomorrow, when I wake, or think I do, what shall I say of today? (two.795)

This is an oft-quoted line from Waiting for Godot, since it seems an incredibly human and sympathetic expression. However, in context, y'all'll find that such an interpretation is incredibly ironic. Vladimir utters this while ignoring others' cries of "Help!"

VLADIMIR
Permit united states not waste matter our fourth dimension in idle discourse! (Pause. Vehemently.) Allow the states do something, while we have the run a risk! It is non every day that nosotros are needed. (2.526)

Vladimir is able to rejoice in Pozzo's and Lucky's pain and helplessness considering it lends importance to his own life.

They look long at each other, so suddenly embrace, clapping each other on the back. End of the embrace. Estragon, no longer supported, almost falls. (ii.8)

Estragon, who, moments before, hesitated to even look at Vladimir, tin now no longer stand up without him. He is dependent on Didi, merely certainly non by selection.

Estragon

ESTRAGON
(wild gestures, incoherent words. Finally.) Why will y'all never let me slumber?
VLADIMIR
I felt alone.
ESTRAGON
I was dreaming I was happy.
VLADIMIR
That passed the time.
ESTRAGON
I was dreaming that—
VLADIMIR
(violently) Don't tell me! (Silence.) (two.774-nine)

We've gotten this several times by this point in the play, but this one is arguably the clearest in its message. Vladimir wants Estragon awake considering he'southward alone—he needs the entertainment. But he doesn't desire to invest annihilation personally by listening to Estragon's dreams; this would brand Estragon human, real, which Vladimir can't seem to handle.

ESTRAGON
If I could only slumber.
VLADIMIR
Yesterday yous slept.
ESTRAGON
I'll try.
He resumes his foetal posture, his caput between his knees.
VLADIMIR
Await. (He goes over and sits down beside Estragon and begins to sing in a loud vocalization.)
Adieu adieu bye bye
Bye adieu–
ESTRAGON
(looking up angrily) Not so loud!
VLADIMIR
(softly)
Bye bye cheerio adieu
Bye bye bye bye
Adieu bye bye good day
Goodbye farewell . . .
Estragon sleeps. Vladimir gets up softly, takes off his coat and lays it across Estragon's shoulders, then starts walking up and down, swinging his arms to proceed himself warm. Estragon wakes with a start, jumps upwardly, casts about wildly. Vladimir runs to him, puts his arms effectually him. There . . . in that location . . . Didi is here . . . don't exist afraid . . .
ESTRAGON
Ah!
VLADIMIR
At that place . . . in that location . . . information technology's all over.
ESTRAGON
I was falling—
VLADIMIR
It's all over, information technology'south all over.
ESTRAGON
I was on top of a—
VLADIMIR
Don't tell me! Come, we'll walk it off.
He takes Estragon by the arm and walks him up and down until Estragon refuses to go whatsoever farther. (2.312-323)

Check out the conflict hither. Vladimir wants to sing Estragon to slumber, but he's awkward and clumsy in his attempts to practice so. He wants to get closer to his companion, but doesn't know how. He and so sacrifices his jacket for the sleeping Estragon though it means he suffers the cold himself—but when Gogo wakes upwardly, Vladimir refuses to heed to his nightmare. Every endeavor at connection is made futile past an inability or unwillingness to commit.

ESTRAGON
(sadly) You see, you piss improve when I'chiliad not in that location.
VLADIMIR
I missed you . . . and at the aforementioned time I was happy. Isn't that a strange matter?
ESTRAGON
(shocked) Happy?
VLADIMIR
Perhaps it'southward not quite the correct word.
ESTRAGON
And now?
VLADIMIR
Now? . . . (Joyous.) There you are once again . . . (Indifferent.) There we are again. . . (Gloomy.) There I am again.
ESTRAGON
Yous see, yous feel worse when I'g with you. I experience better lone too. (2.17-23)

Vladimir's line, in which his emotion ranges from joy to indifference to gloom, is an important one, and helps u.s.a. to empathise the men's conflicting feelings in this passage. He's happy to run into Estragon, but Estragon'due south very presence reminds him of his own plight, which makes him gloomy.

ESTRAGON
Don't touch me! Don't question me! Don't speak to me! Stay with me! (2.5)

Look at the tension in this one line of Estragon's—he needs Vladimir close, only he can't handle any sort of genuine friendship with him.

ESTRAGON
That wasn't such a bad niggling canter.
VLADIMIR
Yes, but now we'll have to find something else.
ESTRAGON
Let me encounter.
He takes off his hat, concentrates. (ii.182-84)

Estragon and Vladimir are playing at having a relationship; the best they can exercise is simulate what they think they are supposed to practise: have an argument, converse, make upwards, etc.

ESTRAGON
(recoiling) Who farted?
VLADIMIR
Pozzo.
POZZO
Hither! Hither! Pity!
ESTRAGON
It's revolting!
VLADIMIR
Quick! Give me your mitt!
ESTRAGON
I'm going. (Break. Louder.) I'm going. (2.566-71)

Aroma is clearly an issue for Estragon. This is the second time (before information technology was Vladimir's jiff) that he recoils from another for such a reason. As we mentioned in Quote #6, it would seem that Estragon is bothered by the visceral nature of some other's humanity. This fourth dimension, nonetheless, the odor isn't enough to drive him abroad; he repeats loudly that he's going to leave, perhaps in the hopes that someone volition stop him.

Previous Next

This is a premium product

Tired of ads?

Join today and never see them over again.

taylorrectee.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.shmoop.com/study-guides/literature/waiting-for-godot/quotes/friendship

Share this post