Paper 3

1. How is “ Time ” presented in Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot ” OR

2. Since nothing happens in Waiting for Godot – no progress in “time” ; can it be called a drama

“Waiting for Godot” being a literary product of 20th century mirrored uncertainties and
despair that were being experienced by the people after the world wars. The most ambiguous
thing in this play is ‘Time”. The time frame is most likely of two days. One of which is probably
a Saturday. The only reference to the passage of time occurs at the end of Act 2 when the sun
sets and the moon rises. There are verbal references to the passing of time - such as when the
characters make mention of yesterday and the previous evening. While Vladimir is sure that
act two is one day after act one, other characters disagree. The only thing that made everyone
confused about the time is the repetition of the events. “Waiting for Godot ” is not going to
end at any point of the drama so there is no progress in the time. This has been expressed by
Vladimir ( Didi ) in act one when he says, “time has stopped”.
In the First Act the two men remembered that they were supposed to
wait under a tree on a Saturday for a man named Godot who was to give them an answer.
While waiting they discussed on various methods to have a moment’s relief from monotony
and uncertainty. Sometime they contemplated suicide but most of the time they simply
waited for Godot. While Pozo and his slave Lucky arrived, they tried to entertain Vladimir and
Estragon but it was a short-lived refreshment.
After they left the place Vladimir and Estragon again started
waiting for Godot but the waiting produce no fruit. The next act begins in same fashion.
Nothing has changed except that the bare tree sprouted 5 or 6 lives. Getting exhausted with
waiting Vladimir and Estragon again planned suicide. But their attempt to commit suicide was
futile. A messenger came and informed that Godot would not come.
Thus all the incidents get repeated again and again and time
appears to be stand still. This is suggestive of the temporary time that is fraught with
uncertainty. The absolutely clueless state of the protagonists with regard to time, date and day
stirs up a brew of emotions consisting mainly of Pity. The exceptionally short-lived memory of
the protagonists with regard to events, places and people they have met along with their
resignation to an existence of continuous tedium, arouses feelings of pathos with the
spectators.
(Add for question no 2) In this way all the traits of an absurd drama have been maintained
efficiently in Waiting for Godot.