The beginning of the play establishes Vladimir and Estragon's relationship.

Vladimir clearly realizes that Estragon is dependent on him when he tells Estragon that he would be "nothing more than a little heap of bones" without him. Vladimir also insists that Estragon would not go far if they parted. This dependency extends even to minute, everyday things, as Estragon cannot even ta e off his boot without help from Vladimir.

That Estragon cannot take off his boots without Vladimirs help shows how dependent he is on Vladimir. Beckett contrasts Vladimir and Estragon by showing how they go about removing the bootEstragon with force and Vladimir using more logical thinking. This defines their characters: Estragon is the voice of emotion and Vladimir the voice of reason. n the play! the hanging is a solution for the boredom of waiting for "odot. But because they cannot find an ade#uate way to do this! Beckett reveals the insufficiency of the dead tree! their only means of doing so. $ith this idea! Beckett is suggesting that the ultimate purpose of life is to die% we live a cyclical e&istence.

!n this section we see the first suggestions that Vladimir and Estragon might represent all of humanity. "hen #ozzo first enters, he notes that Vladimir and Estragon are of the same species as he is, "made in $od's image." %ater, when #ozzo as s Estragon what his name is, he replies "&dam." This comparison of Estragon to &dam, the first man, suggests that he may represent all of man ind' and this lin between Estragon and &dam also relates to the idea of $odot as $od. #ozzo's in(uiry about how Vladimir and Estragon found him suggests that #ozzo is giving a performance. This notion is reinforced when he has %uc y perform for them. !t seems that #ozzo and %uc y appear primarily to entertain Vladimir and Estragon)after #ozzo and %uc leave, the other two men comment that their presence helped the time pass more rapidly.

The relationship between 'o((o and )ucky contrast that of Vladimir and Estragon. $hereas *idi and "ogo have a supportive relationship! 'o((o and )uckys is one of consistent domination. $ith 'o((o and )uckys arrival! Beckett also presents to the readers the idea that Vladimir and Estragon represent humanity! as 'o((o refers to them as "made in $od's image." The boy represents the only link that Vladimir and Estragon have to "odot. That the boy never remembers one day from the ne&t indicates the absence of a meaningful time se#uence. t seems! still! from their interaction that the conversation had happened before! and again Beckett is trying to emphasi(e the repetition and cyclical characteristic in and of life.

+or the first time in the te&t! 'o((o is dependent on )ucky for direction% )ucky is dependent on 'o((o for the same reason! though this relationship is one of emotional! rather than physical! dependence. The shortness of the rope! necessary because of 'o((o,s blindness! affects their relationship% their new-found closeness makes it difficult for 'o((o to dominate and for )ucky to be truly servile and completely pathetic. .s the stage directions indicate! after bumping into Estragon! )ucky falls! drops everything and brings down 'o((o with him. They lie helpless among the scattered baggage.
$ithout sight! 'o((o is now dependent on )ucky for direction. )ucky is dependent on 'o((o for the same reason! though this relationship is one of emotional! rather than physical! dependence. The shortness of the rope! due to 'o((os blindness! affects their relationshipthe closeness makes it difficult for 'o((o to dominate and for )ucky to be truly servile an completely pathetic.