Godot = God?

Waiting for Godot premiered at the Hop on October 1st, treating those who attended to a masterpiece. The play, performed by the Classical Theater of Harlem, analyzes human existence and questions man’s true purpose on Earth. The underlying message of the play quickly became apparent to the audience: everyone is waiting for something.

Throughout the play, the two main characters, Vladimir and Estragon, idly wait next to a dead tree in the midst of a poverty-stricken area searching for hope. The audience quickly learns that they are waiting for God, a figure most people can only dream of meeting. This desolate scene sets the mood of the entire play.

Through a clever theatrical flourish, Vladimir and Estragon’s imminent encounter with God is made clear when Estragon slowly writes “Godot,” immediately after writing God.

If that gesture didn’t make the identity of their missing visitor obvious enough, a bright, illuminating light during the evening directly alludes to the heavens. As Vladimir shines underneath the light, the thought of the afterlife elates him. However, a subtler undercurrent that runs through the play is the grim possibility that Godot could also be Death, as the characters contemplate suicide several times because of restlessness.

Despite Vladimir and Estragon’s negative thoughts, they are nonetheless exhilarated by the thought of meeting Godot, until a suspicious character, Pozzo, appears instead. Dressed in white, Pozzo at first gives off an almost angelic aura. Minutes, maybe even seconds later, we see that he is not as heavenly as he appears to be. Pozzo owns a black slave named Lucky and forces him to commit degrading acts like wearing a rope around his neck.

The symbolic nature and afterlife images of “Godot” help add more meaning to the play, but several humorous wisecracks make the play more enjoyable. Right smack in the middle of the play, Vladimir performs an impression of Michael Jackson to catch the attention of those audience members who had lost focus.

Although much of the play consists of simply waiting, the play remained interesting. Nevertheless, it is understandable how Waiting for Godot may be confusing to some. The plot is somewhat difficult to follow, and the subtle acting can be a turn-off at times. However, as Dartmouth students, the play asks to be broken down and analyzed to reveal a deeper, more meaningful message underneath. Whether it be holding on to one’s faith, searching for meaning in life, or any other way you may have interpreted this very open-ended play.

Our minor criticisms are clearly outweighed by our overall praise of the play. Waiting For Godot is a well-crafted view into the disappointment and restlessness that permeates one’s search for God or meaning in the world.