Samuel BeckettS Waiting For Godot Essays - Theatre Of The Absurd

Samuel BeckettS Waiting For Godot Essays - Theatre Of The Absurd Samuel BeckettS Waiting For Godot Nothing to be done, is one of the many phrases that is repeated again and again throughout Samuel Becketts Waiting For Godot. Godot is an existentialist play that reads like somewhat of a language poem. That is to say, Beckett is not interested in the reader interpreting his words, but simply listening to the words and viewing the actions of his perfectly mismatched characters. Beckett uses the standard Vaudevillian style to present a play that savors of the human condition. He repeats phrases, ideas and actions that has his audience come away with many different ideas about who we are and how beautiful our human existence is even in our desperation. The structure of Waiting For Godot is determined by Becketts use of repetition. This is demonstrated in the progression of dialogue and action in each of the two acts in Godot. The first thing an audience may notice about Waiting For Godot is that they are immediately set up for a comedy. The first two characters to appear on stage are Vladimir and Estragon, dressed in bowler hats and boots. These characters lend themselves to the same body types as Abbot and Costello. Vladimir is usually cast as tall and thin and Estragon just the opposite. Each character is involved in a comedic action from the plays beginning. Estragon is struggling with a tightly fitting boot that he just cannot seem to take off his foot. Vladimir is moving around bowlegged because of a bladder problem. From this beat on the characters move through a what amounts to a comedy routine. A day in the life of two hapless companions on a country road with a single tree. Beckett accomplishes two things by using this style of comedy. Comedy routines have a beginning and an ending. For Godot the routine begins at the opening of the play and ends at the intermission. Once the routine is over, it cannot continue. The routine must be done again. This creates the second act. The second act, though not an exact replication, is basically the first act repeated. The routine is put on again for the audience. The same chain of events: Estragon sleeps in a ditch, Vladimir meets him at the tree, they are visited by Pozzo and Lucky, and a boy comes to tell them that Godot will not be coming but will surely be there the following day. In this way repetition dictates the structure of the play. There is no climax in the play because the only thing the plot builds to is the coming of Godot. However, after the first act the audience has pretty much decided that Godot will never show up. It is not very long into the second act before one realizes that all they are really doing is wasting time, Waiting for...waiting. (50) By making the second act another show of the same routine, Beckett instills in us a feeling of our own waiting and daily routines. What is everyday for us but another of th e same act. Surely small things will change, but overall we seem to be living out the same day many times over. Another effect of repetition on the structure of Godot is the amount of characters in the play. As mentioned before, the play is set up like a Vaudeville routine. In order to maintain the integrity of the routine, the play must be based around these two characters. This leaves no room for extra characters that will get in the way of the act. To allow for the repetition of the routine to take place the cast must include only those characters who are necessary it. The idea that the two characters are simply passing time is evident in the dialogue. The aforementioned phrase, Nothing to be done, is one example of repetition in dialogue. In the first half-dozen pages of the play the phrase is repeated about four times. This emphasizes the phrase so that the audience will pick up on it. It allows the audience to realize that all these two characters have is the hope that Godot will show up. Until the time when Godot arrives, all they can do is pass

What to Do If Your College Roommate Uses Your Stuff

What to Do If Your College Roommate Uses Your Stuff In college, roommates have a lot to deal with: in addition to the stress of being in school, youre squished into a space that would be incredibly tiny for one person - not to mention two (or three or four). Just because youre sharing a space, however, doesnt necessarily mean that youre sharing all of your stuff, too. As the lines begin to blur between where one persons space ends and the others begins, its not uncommon for roommates to begin sharing things. Why have two microwaves, for example, when you really need just one? While some things make sense to share, others can create conflict. If your roommate has started using your stuff in a way that you dont like, hasnt been talked about, or was previously talked about but is now being disrespected, a simple act can quickly turn into something much bigger. If your roommate is borrowing (or just plain taking!) your stuff without checking with you first, there are some questions you can ask yourself when trying to figure out what to do about the situation: How Big of an Issue Is This for You? Maybe you talked about sharing items and your roommate has disregarded the agreement you made together. How much does that bother, annoy, or anger you? Or does it make sense that he or she used your things without asking? Is it a big deal or not? Try not to think about how you think you should feel; think about how you do feel. True, some people may not care if a roommate borrows their iron, but if it bothers you, then be honest with yourself about that. Conversely, if your friends seem outraged that your roommate borrowed your clothes but you dont really mind, then know thats okay, too. Pattern or Exception Your roommate might be absolutely great and she took a little of your cereal and milk just once because she was super, super hungry late one night. Or she may take your cereal and milk two times a week and now youre just sick of it. Consider whether this is a small incident that likely wont happen again or a larger pattern that you would like stopped. Its okay to be bothered by either one, and its especially important to address any bigger issues (e.g., the pattern) if and when you confront your roommate about his or her behavior. Is It a Personal Item or Something General? Your roommate may not know that, for example, the jacket he borrowed was your grandfathers. Consequently, he may not understand why youre so upset that he borrowed it one night when it was unseasonably cold. While all of the things you brought to college matter to you, your roommate doesnt know the values you assign to everything. So, be clear on what was borrowed and why its not okay (or totally fine) for your roommate to borrow it again. What Bugs You About the Situation? You may be bothered that your roommate took something that you told him not to; you may be bothered that he did it without asking; you may be bothered that he didnt replace it; you may be bothered that he takes a lot of your stuff without checking with you first. If you can figure out what bugs you the most about your roommates use of your stuff, you can better address the real issue at hand. So sure, your roommate may have a reason for taking your last energy drink, but its harder to explain why he is constantly helping himself to the last of your things. What Resolution Do You Want? You might just want an apology or an acknowledgment that your roommate took something he or she wasnt entitled to take. Or you may want something larger, like a conversation or even a formal roommate contract about what its okay and not okay to share. Think about what you need to feel better about the situation. That way, when you do talk to your roommate (or RA), you can be focused on a larger goal instead of just feeling frustrated and like you dont have any options. How to Best Come to a Resolution Once you figure out what kind of resolution you want, its important to also figure out how you can get there. If you want an apology, youll need to talk to your roommate; if you want clearer rules in place, youll need to think about what those rules might be before starting a conversation. If you can take the time and mental energy to focus on the causes of and solutions to the problem, your roommates use of your stuff doesnt have to be anything more than a minor issue you thought about, addressed, and resolved during your time as roommates. After all, you both have much bigger things to worry about.