This document provides an analysis of Samuel Beckett's play "Waiting for Godot" as an example of absurdist theater. It discusses how the theater of the absurd emerged in the 1950s and 1960s as coined by Martin Esslin, and how it is associated with existentialism. It analyzes elements of the play that exemplify the absurdist style, such as meaningless dialogues, lack of plot, repetition, and an unexplained ending. Key aspects summarized include Vladimir and Estragon waiting endlessly and engaging in nonsensical conversations while waiting for the arrival of the mysterious Godot.

1. Present by:- Zala Krutikaba. D
Roll no :- 15
Semester :- 3
2014 - 2015
Paper :- The Modernist Literature
Topic:- Waiting for Godot –
As an Absurd Theatre
Submitted to :- Smt. S.B. Gardi
Department of English
M.K. Bhavnagar University

2. The “ Theatre of the Absurd “ is also known as a “ New
Theatre “.
The word “ Absurd “ means foolishness , senseless ,
opposed to reason , something silly and ridiculous.
Critic “ Martin Esslin “ coined the term in his 1960
essay “ Theatre of the Absurd “.
The Theatre of the Absurd commonly associated with
“ Existentialism “.

6. Meaninglessness of life
No wonder
No Organized movement
Lack of plot
Elements of “ Existentialism “
Very hard contain
Puzzled dialogues
Nonsense language
Characters are stereotypical and archetypal
Importance of Repetition.
Absurd or unexplained ending
Comic Scenes
Different from Traditional drama

8. Senseless activity of Vladimir
and Estragon
Waiting for Godot.

9. No beginning , climax and
ending.
Same place and time
Unexplained story
Nothingness and emptiness

10. Song of “ death of a dog “
by Vladimir :
A dog came in the kitchen
And stole a crust of bread.
Then cook up with a ladle
And beat him till he was dead.
Then all the dogs came running
And dug the dog a tomb–
Changing hats scene

11. Who is Godot ? God or Man ?
Act 1 : Pozzo - Master
Lucky – Slave
Act 2 : Pozzo – Master
Lucky - Slave
No female character

12. Nonsense language of Lucky
makes confusion.
Given the existence as uttered forth in the public
works of Puncher and Wattmann of a personal God
quaquaquaqua with white beard quaquaquaqua
outside time without extension who from the…….
Dialogues of Vladimir and
Estragon make
misunderstanding.

13. Same time , place , action in Act 1 and 2.
Same dialogues :-
ESTRAGON:What do we do now?
VLADIMIR:Wait for Godot.
ESTRAGON:Ah!Silence.

14. No use of interesting plot.
No sense of story
Meaningful dialogues
No use of dream , fantasy
and poetic language.

15. Believe in existence of “Man”
Believe in “God”
Waiting for God

16. Unexplained ending
Here ending is not conclusion
No satisfaction
Decision of suicide if Godot
fails to arrive.
A play gives confusion
and problems. And no
solution.

17. Thank
you