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Krapp’s Last Tape (Cyclopedia of Literary Characters)

At a glance:

Characters Discussed

Krapp, the solitary character. He is a sixty-nine-year-old writer living a life filled with sadness and regret. Since reaching adulthood, Krapp has recorded on tape an annual account of personal activities. On the day on which the play’s events occur, Krapp is seen listening to a recording made thirty years earlier. Even though the play has only one character, it successfully captures shifting aspects of identity and shows the younger Krapp, heard through the taped voice, filled with aspirations, becoming the cynical and bitter old man. In fact, there are few common characteristics between these two dramatized aspects of the individual. Remnants of the younger man are to be found mainly in the older Krapp’s addictions to alcohol, bananas, and sexual activity. The younger Krapp’s hope of sacrificing his life to become a successful writer has not been realized. The older Krapp’s attention is visibly occupied in trying to recapture an experience, heard from the taped voice, of lovemaking in a punt on a lake. This incident of Krapp attempting to savor his past experiences contrasts severely with his decision to remain alone to pursue his work. The play forces together a series of opposing characteristics—companionship and solitude, life and death, love and repulsion—to demonstrate the development and division of self.

Bibliography

Gontarski, S. E. The Intent of Undoing in Samuel Beckett’s Dramatic Texts. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1985. Covers Beckett’s plays. A chapter on Krapp’s Last Tape connects the revision process to evolving interpretation of the play. Selected bibliography.

Gontarski, S. E., ed. On Beckett: Essays and Criticism. New York: Grove Press, 1986. Essays by various scholars, including Ruby Cohn’s “Beckett Directs: Endgame and Krapp’s Last Tape,” which discusses Beckett’s adeptness at staging.

Kenner, Hugh. Samuel Beckett: A Critical Study. New ed. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1973. Important study of Beckett. Kenner consulted with Beckett in writing it. Does not focus on Krapp’s Last Tape but the preface provides valuable insight into Beckett’s attitude toward his work.

MacMillan, Dougald, and Martha Fehsenfeld. From “Waiting for Godot” to “Krapp’s Last Tape.” Vol. 1 in Beckett in the Theatre. New York: Riverrun Press, 1988. Devotes a chapter to Krapp’s Last Tape. Discusses changes Beckett made from early to later drafts. Extensive interpretation of the play in relation to production.

Reid, Alec. All I Can Manage, More than I Could: An Approach to the Plays of Samuel Beckett. Dublin: The Dolmen Press, 1968. Accessible and valuable source on plays with publication, first production information, and synopses. Introductory essays on Beckett and his innovative work in broadening the scope of modern drama.

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