Question: Do you find any religious significance in Waiting for Godot? Discuss.
Or, what does the waiting signify in Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot”?
Introduction
Samuel Beckett (1906 -1989) is an Irish renowned playwright and novelist. “Waiting for Godot” is his best work. The play is one of the classical works of absurd theater. It is a multi-layered drama with many interpretations. The play may seem absurd, but with deep religious connotations, it can be associated with many religious interpretations, such as the Christian myth of two thieves, waiting for the second coming of Jesus Christ, etc.
The religious significance in Waiting for Godot
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Interpretation of Christian Myth
The theme of the two thieves on the cross, the theme of uncertainty in the hope of salvation, and the opportunity for divine grace have really spread the whole drama. The two characters Vladimir and Estragon have been shown as vagrants. In the beginning, Vladimir refers to this:
“One of the thieves was saved. It’s a reasonable percentage.”
In Act One, he mentions it several times. Even Vladimir has been seen talking about repentance. He tells Estragon several times to wait for Mr. Godot and when Estragon asks the reason, he says, Mr. Godot, otherwise punish them! Although Beckett writes these dialogues in a very funny and lighthearted way, this has a strong meaning. This means that Vladimir has a belief in myth, and he is eager for salvation. He wants to be one of the thieves who was saved.
Biblical elements
The play has many Christian ideas. It also deals with many biblical elements and symbols. At the beginning of the play, Vladimir asks Estragon whether he has read the Bible. Throughout the play, the biblical, Christian elements are presented with many symbols. The background image of the ‘tree’ has multiple meanings and religious interpretations can be seen as it is the image of the cross, where Jesus Christ was crucified. Their anticipation also reflects the early biblical concept of Christ’s return on the Day of Judgment or Doomsday.
Mr. Godot and Second coming
One popular interpretation of waiting for Godot is the second coming aspect of Jesus Christ. One meaning of Mr. Godot is none other but ‘God’ and there are many clues and evidence in the play which symbolically says that Mr. Godot is a symbol for God.
Religious interpretation of the waiting of Vladimir and Estragon symbolizes humanity waiting for the elusive return of a savior. This interpretation makes Pozzo into the pope and Lucky into the faithful. It is also seen in the dialogues between Vladimir and the boy. The personality that Beckett describes is much related to the image of the Christian God. This description clearly shows that Mr. Godot means God. Other dialogues between Vladimir and Estragon describe the characteristics of Mr. Godot.
“Estragon: And if we dropped him? (Pause) If we dropped him?
Vladimir: He’d punish us. Estragon: And if he comes? Vladimir: We’ll be saved.”
It means Mr. Godot will give punishment if they leave and Mr. Godot is savior also, they will be rewarded, if they wait. This is the illusion of the postmodern period.
Religious dilemma
The play is mostly interpreted as an Existential play. There are many elements that favor existentialism more than even religious interpretations. Beckett presents a religious dilemma that means counter-arguments against religion. It becomes a very strong, interesting point of discussion and debate in the play. Beckett, very intentionally, created these two characters- Estragon and Vladimir. Among them Vladimir is shown more intelligent, craving for salvation, moral, religious, and thinker than Estragon. Estragon seems dumb, irreligious, sleeping-not thoughtful, only craving for necessary things for the body but not interested in spiritual thinking. Thus, two ideas about existentialism and religious waiting clash in the play.
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Conclusion
It is firmly believed that drama has the concept of existentialism. But to support existentialism, the author shows religious ideas. And he tries to deconstruct it. Consciously or unconsciously, the author presents many Christian myths and biblical images. So, “Waiting for Godot” shows Beckett’s talent, which is why the reader can interpret a lot of meaning from this short play.
