Discuss Waiting for Godot as a reflection of existential themes.

Waiting for Godot as a reflection of existential themes “ Staying for Godot” is a play in which Samuel Beckett espoused the doctrine of existentialism. Critics call it one of the prominent existentialist plays that demonstrate theme of existentialism as main story of the play. Still, certain rudiments are there in it that reveal theme of nihilism too. Nihilism and existentialism are two distinct effects still it seems that Samuel Beckett combined them in order show superiority of Existentialism. Some of the critics are of the opinion that “ Waiting for Godot” is neither entirely on existentialism nor entirely on nihilism but nearly in between.

  Whats is Existentialism?

 Waiting for Godot as a reflection of existential themesJean Paul Sartre and Martin Heidegger presented proposition of existentialism in which they stated that humans had been thrown in a pointless macrocosm in which they had no purpose at all. They were put in absurd situation by an unknown force and were living in internal pains and mournings. Life is terrible or not, it isn't the content applicable to proposition of existentialism. Hence, main reason behind mournings of humans isn't the terrible world but that they're freely living in it. They're free to choose but irony is that no choice is given to them but existentialism believes that indeed not making a choice is a choice. In terse words, existentialism is proposition that believes “ man is what he does”. Waiting for Godot as a reflection of existential themes

Existentialism in “ Waiting for Godot

Waiting for Godot as a reflection of existential themes “ Staying for Godot” is indeed a play that demonstrates theme of existentialism. Two main characters of the play named as Vladimir and Estragon are put into an absurd situation just like humans have been put in the world without any purpose. In whole play they do nothing to change their miserable condition. Existentialism emphasizes on the practice of doing commodity and creating a purpose while accepting actuality in this world. Hence, they've volunteer to make their life more. They can come out of this situation and can give their lives a meaning but they do nothing. Estragon’s dialogue is notable in this regard. He says

 

 “ Nothing happens, nothing comes, nothing goes, it’s awful.”

Nihilism in “ Waiting for Godot”

 Waiting for Godot as a reflection of existential themesNihilism means nothing. It determines that humans live in this world is enough. They shouldn't do anything because everything they do is pointless. “ Staying for Godot” portrays theme of despair as well as conception of nihilism. Estragon and Vladimir do nothing. Play starts with dead and ends with dead.

 

Waiting for Godot as a reflection of existential themes Still this play doesn't promote proposition of nihilism. Two tramps do nothing indeed also they're doing commodity. They're staying for Godot. They've set a purpose for them through which they accept their actuality. Likewise, they're chancing their individualities. They're unfit to find answers of their questions and the only reason due to which they aren't successful is that they're confused.

Waiting for Godot as a reflection of existential themes

 In addition, they're christian by religion and believe on actuality of god which is contrary to the conception of nihilism. Proposition of existentialism also doesn't believe on actuality of God. Still, there's a type of existentialism that do so. It's called “ Christian Existentialism”. “ Staying for Godot”, in this way, demonstrates this type of existentialism. Waiting for Godot as a reflection of existential themes

 

 Christian Existentialism “ Waiting for Godot”

Waiting for Godot as a reflection of existential themes Believing on actuality of God doesn't change meaning of existentialism. Characters are chancing their purpose in this world. They want answers of their questions like who they're and why they're then? It is, thus, Estragon says

. “ We always find commodity, eh Didi, to let us suppose we live?”

.

 “ Staying for Godot” is a situation that has no soliciting and no end. Tramps do n’t know about their history nor are they sure about their future. It's a situation which every person in the world facing. Samuel Beckett also said the same. In his eyes, we're all like Estragon and Vladimir. Likewise, he's of the view that the play is further about staying, it's true that they're living in an absurd world that's one of the major characteristics of existentialism.

 

 Pointlessness of Actuality

 They go on living. They know pointlessness of their actuality still they do n’t give up on life. It's main problem that no bone is then to answer the question of mortal actuality in this world. Same is the case with protagonists of the play; they're staying for Godot. It's the only way through which they would know purpose of their lives.

 Either, we see that Estragon and Vladimir are living a miserable life not because life is the name of pains rather because they're free. It's also a problem that humans have been given volunteer. Lucky is satisfied with his life as compared to Estragon and Vladimir. Though his life is tough yet he doesn't consider it tough. A purpose has been set for him by his master. On the other hand, Estragon and Vladimir have no purpose. Freewill is their problem.

 

 They portray a universal problem. Humans are living in this world but why are they living? No bone has exact answer of this question. It would have been easier for us if our pretensions were set. Freewill is our main problem because it has come our duty to find purpose of life. It's primary meaning of existentialism. Samuel Becket easily shows it in “ Waiting for Godot” through Estragon and Vladimir.

 Meanings of Existentialism in “ Waiting for Godot”

Waiting for Godot as a reflection of existential themes Simplest description of existentialism is that “ humans define their own meaning in life, and try to make rational opinions despite being in an illogical macrocosm”

. Above said description can be divided into three corridor.

Universe is illogical

 Humans actuality in it and

 Humans define meanings of life with rational opinions.

 Still, also “ Staying for Godot” honestly promotes proposition of existentialism, If so. Estragon and Vladimir are being in illogical world, and they've defined meanings of their lives i.e. “ staying for Godot”. He'd come and answer them. They're pious to their purpose.

 Indeed else, if that isn't their purpose also Samuel Beckett intimates us that rather of staying for godot one should set purpose of his life and existentialism also suggests the same.

 

 Existentialism deals with individual actuality, freedom and choice. “ Staying for Godot” presents the same notion due to which it's called “ a play that advocates proposition of existentialism”.

 Serve is to say that there are two aspects of the play through which it can be seen. Originally, it shows theme of despair and nihilism. Secondly, “ Staying for Godot” promotes gospel of existentialism. Still, maturity of the discourses, settings, conduct ( useless conduct) reveal that existentialism is the main theme of “ Waiting for Godot”.