Establishing in what time frame the action takes place; the era in which it is set;and charting definable progression in a play are customary signals to enable the audience to become engaged in a production. Conventionally, the audience is presented with an introduction where a scene is set out for their instant recognition; then a middle, where the problem or dilemma is developed and finally a suitable or logical resolution is delivered. In Waiting for Godot, in total contrast, the absence of these conventions and the subsequent uncertainty created for the audience are essential to the play.



The dearth of information increases uggs uk the sensation of uncertainty for the audience, which corresponds with the uncertainty, which pervades the play, and is the elemental mind frame of the characters.



The idea of people thwarting their own intention through failing to communicate, interested Beckett deeply. He is reported to have spent a lot of time and effort in perfecting the portrayal of these states of being. (The Popular and Canonical p.249) Estragon and Vladimir are uncertain of everything. They are not sure what day it is; whether the boots belong to Estragon; whether they have arrived at the right place ugg boots outlet and most centrally for them, whether Godot will turn up.



It seems clear that Beckett discusses the universal idea of 'the suffering of being,' in the play. This would explain the repeat of the action in the second act; it seems to suggest that habitual actions, protect the individual from experiencing this suffering.



Throughout the play, in each intentionally quick fire, deliberate verbal exchange, the dialogue moves back and forth from despair to hope; with the dialogue from Vladimir exemplifying the retention of hope. The extraordinary communicative routines of the characters in the play challenge classification. These intentionally perplexing theatrical techniques produce a self reflexivity which compels the audience not only to deliberate on the ideas of ambiguity and uncertainty but also on the actual medium of theatre and communication.



Beckett's unique work of art is created with an alchemic combination of ironic pastiche and skilfull theatrical set pieces fused with a philosophical critique on the human condition.



Bair, D. (Vintage edition 1990) Samuel Beckett A Biography, First published in Great Britain by Jonathan Cape Ltd, 1978.



Gupta, S and Johnson D. (eds) (2005) A TwentiethCentury Literature Reader: Texts and Debate,London: Routledge in association with the Open University.