An Interpretation Of Waiting For Godot:the Theatre Of The Absurd

The Theatre of the Absurd is an "Anti-Theatre" during the postwar Europe. Waiting for Godot (WFG), the classic of the Theatre of the Absurd, is Beckett's turning point from novel writing to drama, and also a landmark of the 20th century drama from modernity to postmodernity. Based on the complicated social background and spiritual crisis in the western society, it exposes the absurd living condition, loneliness, desolation and meaninglessness which derive from this situation.WFG, since its birth in 1953, is famous for its obscure language and absurd presentation, and attracts much attention of critics in the literary world. Up to now, the new interpretations continuously emerge with varied views. The thrust of the study abroad in 1960s and 1970s focused on the form and content, in 1980s on art. The study in China began in the mid 1980s, the majority of them are translations of and introductions to the foreign achievements, but few of them are seminal. While discussing the philosophical dimension of the play, some critics argue that it does not display the existentialism, but other hold it is just the counterfoil to the existentialism.This paper, in the light of the literary theory and criticism of existentialism, through textual analysis, attempts to reassess the relationship between WFG and existentialism and discuss the relationship between the social and cultural context and existentialism.This paper consists of five parts.Part One is a general introduction to this thesis, including Beckett's literary achievements, the outline of WFG, literature reviews home and abroad and the significance of the study.Part Two briefly introduces the relevant literary theory, existentialism and the Theatre of the Absurd.Part Three, focusing on the text of WFG, sheds light on the dimensions of existentialism which are displayed through WFG.First, tragicomedy in the title indicates it is a hybrid literature genre that expresses a serious subject in a light way. Second, the analysis of characters shows the hopeless and embarrassed human condition; the disintegration of language implies the emptiness and suffering in man's inner world. Third, the play has a static plot structure similar to that of a gradually diminishing spiral, depicting characters' extreme anguish and helplessness. Fourth, the treatment of time gives us a hint at the dislocation between human existence and outside reality, and at the duration of the absurdity. At last, the device of images and metaphors in the play represent the existential condition and mental experience of human being.Part Four is to discuss the relationship between the Theatre of the Absurd and existentialism together with the social context. If Part Three is the micro-text analysis, then this part is a macro-examination. Existentialism is the new paradigm of Western thought, deeply influenced many artists, including Beckett. Moreover, Beckett's personal experience is reflected in WFG directly or indirectly. His outer world and inner philosophical meditation form his vision. Besides, the rootlessness, loneliness, anguish, fear and despair expressed by existentialism are corresponded with those of the Theatre of the Absurd. Both use irrational medium to reflect the world, the former in traditional way, but the latter goes to the extreme of the art with a radical innovation, revealing the stark reality in the rational world.Part Five is conclusion. Through textual analysis, the author raises that the thought expressed in WFG and those in existentialism are traveling towards the same destination but separate track. They both expressed the emotional experience, living condition and helpless and absurd life in the Western world, and displayed multi-layers of existentialism. It is both a play of the Theatre of the Absurd and existential one. At the same time, it is a play with purifying force of the Greek tragedy and of postmodernity.If we fail to discern the potential life-enhancing aspects of the play, often than not, we would blame theplay for its "pessimism" and "nihilism". With regard to this proble...