Analyzing Tragicomedy and Memory in Beckett’s ‘Waiting for Godot’
Beckett’s Tragicomedy in ‘Waiting for Godot’
Beckett classified his play as a “tragicomedy.” Is this an accurate classification? If not, how else might the play be classified? Does the play lean more towards tragedy or comedy?
The play is often considered a tragicomedy because it conveys tragic themes through comedic elements. What makes it tragic? For instance, the characters desire to find meaning in human existence and to be completely independent. However, Estragon and Vladimir cannot separate from each other, nor can they find a meaningful existence. They are aware that they cannot live apart and know what they must do to end their misery, but they lack the courage to end their lives. This is another example of their tragedy.
Beckett uses humor to present the insignificant lives of Gogo and Didi, their inability to act, their immobility, and the disconnect between their words and actions. In other words, he uses comedy to illustrate the helpless situations and life conditions of Estragon, Vladimir, Pozzo, and Lucky. Therefore, classifying the play as a tragicomedy is appropriate. However, other perspectives may lead to different interpretations. There is no definitive answer, and consensus may be impossible. You may have your own viewpoint.
The Role of Memory in ‘Waiting for Godot’
What role does memory play in the play? Why do the characters’ memories seem to be erased each day? Vladimir seems to be the only character who remembers events from one day to the next. What is the purpose of having one character remember what the others forget?
It is peculiar that the characters remember things from the distant past but not recent events, such as what happened yesterday. Yet, every yesterday constitutes the past. Through this absurdity, the play expresses the futility of trying to prove that the past, or even a person, ever exists. Time is an illusion of past experience. This is why their memories seem to be erased each day. The play attempts to show the meaninglessness of human existence. All is an illusion.
Memory gives the two protagonists hope that Godot will come. It seems the only things they remember are the past and the fact that Godot keeps them waiting. Whoever Godot is, Gogo and Didi have clearly been waiting for him for many days (or a long time) before the play begins, because they know immediately when the messenger boy approaches that Godot will not be there.
The purpose of having one character remember while the others forget is to show the helplessness and incompetence of human beings in the world. Although Didi tries with all his might to prove they were there yesterday, nobody believes him. All his efforts are futile and lead to nothing. He is questioned even by himself when nobody seems to think they existed yesterday. The play implies that there is no way to prove you exist, and even if you believe you do, you may be wrong.