What dramatic techniques has a playwright used to convey ideas and/or beliefs in a play,

and how effective has he or she been?

One is not born with an identity as one should create ones own unique identity. Samuel

Becketts Waiting for Godot utilizes dramatic elements such as blocking and dialogue to promote

authenticity in the characters lives. Through reflection and hope, individuals can live purposeful

lives.

As Estragon struggles to remove his boot, he and Vladimir start to argue about the

suffering they each are experiencing. Vladimir ponders upon the last moment in life and says,

hope deffered maketh the something sick (3). The quote is an allusion to Proverbs 13:12 which

says, Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. People are

optimistic because it gives them a reason to be alive and achieve their goals. Nobody has any

clue as to what awaits them, but one can dream that the future will be great.

Vladimir and Estragon continue their tedious anticipation of the arrival of Godot. As a

way of ending their suffering, Estragon raises an idea about hanging [themselves] (9). After

thinking carefully about the idea, the two characters determine it is in their best interests to

continue their wait for Godot in hope that something better awaits them in the future. Despite the

suffering that they are enduring currently, they have faith that it will all be worth it the day Godot

arrives.

Hope is an essential component to a purposeful life. For one to live a meaningful life, he

or she must be hopeful of the future. Without hope, life is dark and utterly pointless.

As Estragon and Vladimir are awaiting the arrival of Godot, they encounter Pozzo and

Lucky. Pozzo wants Lucky to entertain the other three by thinking, but he cannot think without
his hat (33). Once the hat is placed on Luckys head, he gives a long soliloquy about what

seems to be a bunch of gibberish. Although Lucky is displayed as Pozzos servant, Lucky has

ideas and thoughts of his own which make him in charge of his own life. Pozzo has a terrible

memory, and he is subject to the influence of the ideas and thoughts of others easier than Lucky

is. The fact that Lucky can think independently makes his life authentic

After the boy conveys the message that Godot will arrive the following day to Vladimir

and Estragon, the two protagonists ponder about their situation. Vladimir and Estragon decide

that tomorrow everything will be better (43), and they continue to wait for Godot. Many

people would claim that the two characters are living meaningless lives because they are making

no progress at all, however, the characters are in fact living meaningful, authentic lives because

their decision is their own. Similar to the myth of Sisyphus, Vladimir and Estragon do not make

any measurable progress in their tasks, but they do complete what they each set out to do every

single day.

To live an authentic life, people must make independent decisions and be able to live with

the consequences of those decisions. Living for ones own thoughts and goals is essential in a

purposeful life.

Vladimir and Estragon agree that they are happy to be with each other. Estragon wonders

what to do next after he realizes he is happy. Vladimir replies, wait for Godot. Good things have

changed here since yesterday (50. )Vladimir and Estragon do not know what to do except wait

for Godot. They do not know if Godot will ever arrive, yet they persistently await his arrival.

This lack of motivation displays their absence of purpose to discover their identity.
 Estragon always wants to leave and forgets that they are waiting for Godot. Estragon

states, I am tired! Let us go (81). Vladimir has to remind Estragon again that they cannot leave

as they are waiting for Godot. Both of them do not take steps to discover themselves as it is

easier to rely on someone else to do that for them.

The boy arrives and explains to Vladimir and Estragon that Godot has a message for

them. Vladimir understands the repetitive situation as he states, Off we go again (81).

Inevitably, Vladimir realizes the repetitiveness of the situation which shows his consistent

perseverance with finding his purpose. He continues to place hope on the supernatural in terms

of finding Godot.

The repetitive nature appears again as Estragon wakes up from his sleep and asks

Vladimir if they can go to a place far away. Vladimir replies in a similar manner to the beginning

of the play as he states, We have to come back tomorrow (83). Evidently, Estragon also

realizes the cycle that his life is going through and understands the aspect of hope in supernatural

forces. Estragons request to Vladimir to hang themselves represents his failure to find his lifes

purpose.

The repetitive cycle that individuals experience in their lives tends to stem from the belief

in supernatural forces. The inconsistency in terms of meeting goals presents obstacles to

individuals who go through such a cycle in their lives. The individuals must strive towards

embracing such forces in a matter that is not particular physical in nature.