Who is Godot?
No one on Earth knows the answer to this question. Neither tramps, nor readers and not even the author himself. It is true that Beckett himself was asked the same question about the identity of Godot and he himself replied that if he had known who Godot was, he would have told us in the play. It is clear that Godot is a mysterious figure who is yet "undiscovered" by men like Vladimir and Estragon. Yet there are some minor details in the play hinting at the "personality" of Godot.
What do we know about Godot?
Through the conversations of Estragon and Vladimir, we come across the importance of Godot for the tramps. Godot has promised them of something they are not certain about.
ESTRAGON: What exactly did we ask him for?
VLADIMIR: Were you not there?
ESTRAGON: I can't have been listening.
VLADIMIR: Oh . . . Nothing very definite.
ESTRAGON: A kind of prayer.
VLADIMIR: Precisely.
ESTRAGON: A vague supplication.
So, it is certain that they have met Godot at some point. The tramps know one certain thing about Godot that they have to wait for him.
The Messenger boy also reveals significantly about Godot. According to the boy, Godot has a white beard. He does nothing and he beats his brother.
VLADIMIR: What does he do, Mr. Godot? ( Silence. ) Do you hear me?
BOY: Yes Sir.
VLADIMIR: Well?
BOY: He does nothing, Sir.
So, this is what we know about Godot so far.
Confusion about the Identity Godot
Godot does not exist as concretely as other characters do in this play. Yet tramps talk about him and accept his influence upon them. The identity of Godot is mostly shrouded in confusion. Many critics derive a different Godot. Some say Godot is God while others say he is a normal human being. The play has no inherent meaning. So is Godot. One can make as many interpretations of Godot as possible. Godot can be one's unfulfilled desire that has a chance to become true in near future. Godot can be a promise that is yet to be fulfilled. Godot can be the suffering of mankind that may or may not come to an end. Such a level of freedom of interpretation can lead to confusion.
Speaking of suffering, the character of Pozzo is also confused with Godot. At first, he is initially taken for Godot by the tramps. But secondly, his name also rhymes with the word Godot. Pozzo's mistreatment of Lucky also adds him to the hostility that is observed in Godot. But those are merely speculations and we cannot consider Pozzo as Godot.
Godot's Hostility
Keeping in view the details given about Godot in the play, he seems to be a hostile figure. For instance, Godot is kind towards the Messenger boy but he beats the brother of the Messenger boy who guards the sheep. But this can be a similar case with the pair of tramps. Vladimir gets the carrot and turnips while Estragon gets beaten in the night. Maybe it is Godot that gives Vladimir turnips and carrots and beats Estragon (like Messenger boy's brother). But a significant hostility can be seen through the vague or even empty promise that Godot has made to the tramps. They keep waiting for him from dawn to dusk. But we do not find a definitive time for his arrival or the fulfilment of the promise that he made a while back. But tramps are equally free to "take it or leave it" yet they equally become fearful of the sense of punishment:
ESTRAGON: And if we dropped him? ( Pause. ) If we dropped him?
VLADIMIR: He'd punish us.
Thus, the nature of Godot is mysteriously a blend of both kindness and hostility.
Godot's Divine Attributes
There is a significant material in the play that hints at Godot for being God. The first and most obvious hint is the word God connected to it. Secondly, the word Godo in the Irish language is commonly used for God. Thirdly, the boy's description of Godot having a white beard also gives the impression of the old father aspect of Him. Fourthly, the name of Godot exists but he does not arrive in the play just like God Who exists but does not appear before us. We shall find this play a Christian or even a Morality Play if we associate Godot to the God in the Old Testament.
But there are opinions of critics who do not accept the (fractured) religious interpretation. Martin Esslin asserts that the play is mainly about the ultimate realities of life and suffering is one of them. Since Godot is also attributed to human suffering that may never end, because, according to him, the problem of Death and Life is concerned with the Drama of the Absurd.
Conclusion
So, it is difficult to trace out the true identity of Godot in the sea of interpretations. As the play is inherently meaningless, Becket's answer to Alan Schneider"s question indirectly encourages us to develop our own interpretation of Godot. What do you think who Godot is? Comment your answer below.
Sources and Suggested Readings
- Waiting for Godot - Critical Studies by Famous Products - Page 315
- Lectures of Sir Hassan
- https://www.eng-literature.com/2020/05/who-is-godot-waiting-for-godot.html
- https://www.shmoop.com/study-guides/literature/waiting-for-godot/godot-character
