3-27-14

Nihilism is the belief that nothing means anything and that nothing we do has any significance or meaning. These beliefs are exhibited in Samuel Beckett’s play “Waiting for Godot”.  The first words spoken in the play are “nothing to be done”. This statement is clearly indicative of the nihilistic beliefs that the play attempts to convey. Ultimately in the play nothing really is accomplished by the two main characters as they end virtually where they started.  At one point Estragon even says “Nothing happens, nobody comes, nobody goes, it’s awful!” The entire play is the two main characters simply waiting for this man Godot. The only thing they are certain of is that they are waiting for Godot. However they know little about him. Towards the end of the play Vladimir asks the boy what Godot does to which he responds “He does nothing sir”.

                The book also portrays themes of existentialism. Existentialism can be seen as man questioning his own existence. In the book the characters do not even know whether or not they are real. The characters pose question such as are we real, why do we not kill ourselves, is this all a dream, how did we get here, and maybe most importantly what are we doing here. To that question Vladimir would simply answer “we are waiting for Godot”. However as the boy later points out to Vladimir Godot “does not do anything”. The characters of Becketts play are waiting for nothing. They seem to be paralyzed in their existential questions and instinctive fear of an unreal reality.

                The theater of the absurd centers on the idea that man is lost in a world that he cannot understand. And that this leads communication and all logical reasoning to break down. There for man is left in an illogical and flawed society. The world in Waiting for Godot can be seen as absurd. The characters do not know where they are or what time it is and this leads them lose all means of logical reasoning.  This leads to them doing virtually nothing despite aspirations to be saved and similar aspirations to die.