"Waiting for Godot"- Insanity

Samuel Beckett's "Waiting for Godot"


The term "Insanity" has a deep-rooted meaning that coincides with the ideals of a person being insane. In the dictionary, insanity is presented as "a foolish or senseless action, policy, statement, etc." It is also represented as "of, or relating to, a characteristic of a person who is mentally deranged."
 "Waiting for Godot" by Samuel Beckett is a pure example of what many people would find the two characters, Vladimir and Estragon, to live in their own personal insanity, however taking a closer look, these characters do not have what is necessary to be insane. Insanity is to have a serious, mental condition that makes a person have the inability to function or to even prosper in life as their own personal problems prevent them from doing anything "normal." These characters face their own insanity every day and never do they let that corrupt their minds and not think in a mundane, human way. To speak about suicide and not being able to find a meaning in life without the assistance of something or someone, is naturally the life that any individual lives.

Vladimir and Estragon spoke about two major things that stood out to the readers throughout the play. One was about trying to commit suicide as there was nothing more for them in their lifetime. The other one was how they were constantly waiting for a character named Godot. It seems that both aspects have to do with their mental health and how it drives both of these characters actions in many of the scenes. This, however, should not be considered insane because it is more of a mental illness like depression; feeling unsatisfied with life. Another reason why it should not be considered insanity for both these characters is that they are waiting for someone named Godot as if this person is going to change their lives for the better. It is even possible to conclude with Godot being a higher power like a god or so, though it is never said that way. If this is the case, there is further evidence to prove that they are just people who lost hope and want something or someone to come into their lives and fix them. It is almost like a religion in a sense because Godot never shows up but these two characters still assume he will. It is the hope that drives them presented in an abnormal way.

Another thing about the dialect in this play is that most of the conversations are not clear and concise as to what is happening. This is purposely to see a deeper connection between both Vladimir and Estragon, which makes it easier for them to understand one another. This dialect also makes it seem as if they are insane but really, it is just the lack of education, the lack of being in real society at the time of the play or even can be seen as just a way for these characters to bond. Being insane would mean a much more abstractive way to communicate and it would be even more difficult to get one another or for the reader to understand what is happening.

Both of the main characters, Vladimir and Estragon, wanted to commit suicide and were vocal about this from the start of the play. The reason for this was because the characters felt that there was nothing more for their lives as they were both old and still homeless. Taking a closer look at what is actually happening, this is just a method for the characters to ease the idea of their current situation. To be insane would mean that these characters would take their problems and become masochist who tries to kill themselves every day and at the last second do not for their own pleasure of doing it again the next day. This does not take into account that suicide is not an insane option if heard by others but it is something that these characters think and feel the need to do. 

When considering their desperate need for the other character to show up, Godot, this is also not a reason for them to be considered insane. The play makes it out to be that these characters are waiting constantly for the chance to actually meet this person as he has something that would change their lives. It introduced the idea that these characters have the ability to feel hope and want to change their lifestyles. This means that if they were insane, these feeling would be impassive or non-existent. It would mean that both of the characters were psychopaths, which they are not like. It makes Godot be more of a god-like figure, never seen but is always talked about. It can sort of reflects a religious figure as well, depicting faith and hope for a more prosperous life.

 Being suicidal is completely different from being insane or living in one's own insanity. Also, having hope for a better life at an old age is not another form of being inane either. Suicide was mentioned various times from beginning, middle, and end of the play and this was to demonstrate a greater force that comes from the purpose of the play as a whole. Although it does connect with the idea of having a mental illness for both characters, it should be just seen as a mental illness instead of claiming that they are both insane. To be insane would mean to be completely senseless and uncontrollable to oneself. It would mean that these characters would not even be able to have hope that someone would help them or be able to communicate with others. Two homeless people without an extended education or have socially accepted qualities makes these characters just outsiders of the real world. It does not make them insane for having hope nor make them insane for wanting to believe that something can change in their lives. It just makes them humans who had the short side of the stick.


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