There are only (I think) two things that are certain in Waiting for Godot: that time moves on; and that Gogo and Didi are waiting for Godot. Everything else is in dispute.
Vladamir: Time has stopped
Pozzo: Don't you believe it sir, sir, don't you believe it. Whatever you like, but not that.
Are Gogo and Didi in the same place as yesterday? Are their memories of yesterday's events accurate? Are any of their memories accurate? When they look forward is anything planned, anything inevitable, anything to be relied on?
And for all of us, what really is certain? How can we be sure of anything when it is perceived and experienced through our own (somewhat unreliable, I'd say) subjective senses? And if we proceed anyway, if we set out to do things...what is it we should be doing?
Vladamir: What are we doing here, that is the question. And we are blessed with this, that we happen to know the answer. Yes, in this immense confusion one thing alone is clear. We are waiting for Godot to come.
There is a great deal of humanity in Godot, and a great deal of inhumanity too. In their behaviour to one another Beckett's 'people' can be both tender and compassionate - yet, at other times - they can also be bitter, cruel, unfeeling, even sadistic. They cry out for comfort, for salvation, whilst clinging to others...despite the obvious shortcomings of their 'saviour'
Estragon: We always find something, eh Didi, to give us the impression we exist.
We have a burning desire to fix things in time and place, to cling to their importance, to cling to each other, to remember, to live and to make plans. We may have faith in God, in mankind... a belief in progress and/or the pursuit of pleasure to sustain us. Perhaps all or none of these things. But, whatever - we continue, we carry on and we wait for...?
Vladamir: I can't go on. What have I said?
I would like to thank my four fine women for giving me the impression that I exist (you certainly do...or at least I think you do! For finding the rhythms, thinking, dancing and keeping faith with me. And to all at NAFA for their companionship, help and trust.
