tailieunhanh - Lecture Drama II - Modern drama: Lecture 18 - Dr Irum Zulfiqar

This chapter presents the following content: Waiting for godot symbolism, imagery & allegory; setting; waiting for godot genre, tone, style & title; waiting for godot as booker’s seven basic plots analysis: tragedy plot; social acceptance of waiting for godot critical analysis. | DRAMA II MODERN DRAMA Lecture 17 SYNOPSIS Waiting for Godot Symbolism, Imagery & Allegory Setting Waiting for Godot Genre, TONE, STYLE & Title Waiting for Godot as Booker’s Seven Basic Plots Analysis: Tragedy Plot Social Acceptance of Waiting for Godot Critical Analysis WAITING FOR GODOT SYMBOLISM, IMAGERY & ALLEGORY Sometimes, there’s more to Lit than meets the eye. Duality Symbolism, Imagery, Allegory Waiting for Godot is chock-full of pairs. There’s Vladimir and Estragon, the two thieves, the Boy and his brother, Pozzo and Lucky, Cain and Abel, and of course the two acts of the play itself. With these pairs comes the repeated notion of arbitrary, 50/50 chances. One thief is saved and other damned, but for no clear reason. If Vladimir and Estragon try to hang themselves, the bough may or may not break. One man may die, one man may live. Godot may or may not come to save them. In the Bible, Cain’s sacrifice was rejected and Abel’s accepted for no discernible reason. It’s minor, but check out Estragon’s line in Act I: "My left lung is very weak [ ]. But my right lung is sound as a bell!" More pairs, more arbitrary damnation. Even the tone of Waiting for Godot is filled with duality: two person arguments, back-and-forth questions, disagreement-agreement, questions and (often inadequate) answers. The Tree Symbolism, Imagery, Allegory The tree is the only distinct piece of the setting, so we’re pretty sure it matters. (Also, if you check out the painting that inspired Beckett, you’ll see that a big tree features prominently.) Right off the bat you’ve got the biblical stuff; Jesus was crucified on a cross, but that cross is sometimes referred to as a "tree," as in, "Jesus was nailed to the tree." That Vladimir and Estragon contemplate hanging themselves from the tree is likely a reference to the crucifixion, but it also parodies the religious significance. If Jesus died for the sins of others, Vladimir and Estragon are dying for nothing. (There’s that pesky "nothing" . | DRAMA II MODERN DRAMA Lecture 17 SYNOPSIS Waiting for Godot Symbolism, Imagery & Allegory Setting Waiting for Godot Genre, TONE, STYLE & Title Waiting for Godot as Booker’s Seven Basic Plots Analysis: Tragedy Plot Social Acceptance of Waiting for Godot Critical Analysis WAITING FOR GODOT SYMBOLISM, IMAGERY & ALLEGORY Sometimes, there’s more to Lit than meets the eye. Duality Symbolism, Imagery, Allegory Waiting for Godot is chock-full of pairs. There’s Vladimir and Estragon, the two thieves, the Boy and his brother, Pozzo and Lucky, Cain and Abel, and of course the two acts of the play itself. With these pairs comes the repeated notion of arbitrary, 50/50 chances. One thief is saved and other damned, but for no clear reason. If Vladimir and Estragon try to hang themselves, the bough may or may not break. One man may die, one man may live. Godot may or may not come to save them. In the Bible, Cain’s sacrifice was rejected and Abel’s accepted for no discernible reason. It’s minor, but .