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Waiting for Godot

by Samuel Beckett

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What are the characteristics of Vladimir in Waiting for Godot?

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Vladimir in "Waiting for Godot" is the play's main character, depicted as assertive, hopeful, and protective, especially towards Estragon. He is the philosophical voice, contemplating fairness and existential themes. Despite being sickly with bad breath, his kindness and intellectual awareness make him the driving force of the play. As an idealist, he desires humane treatment for all, opposing Pozzo's cruelty. Vladimir symbolizes the dreamers and believers in society, though ultimately trapped in the play's absurdity.

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The character of Vladimir is basically the main character, and the one who basically moves the plot forward, in Samuel Beckett's play Waiting for Godot.

Vladimir is the strongest man inthe Vladimir-Estragon relationship. He is assertive, clearly an initiator, and he is the one character which is most hopeful for the entrance of Godot in the play. He consistently motivates Estragon to continue waiting. He also protects Estragon, has the leading role in the relationship, watches after Estragon's smelly shoes, and seems to have quite a sentimental and emotional nature. This latter characteristic is a result of his consistent pondering in what is fair and unfair. He is the philosopher of the play and, literary speaking, the voice that expresses the existentialist stream of the play.

Physically speaking, we know that Vladimir and Estragon both wear bowler hats and suits, but they are in a lower social status than Pozzo....

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For this reason, they are described to us as "tramps" who are untidy and on dire straits. Vladimir is sickly, and he is known to have bad breath. His kindness seems to make up for his weaknesses and downfalls. In all, he is basically a good guy.

Intellectually, Vladimir is smarter and more aware of his surroundings than  Estragon. This advantage allows him to perceive the nature of Pozzo and his injustice with Lucky. Vladimir seems to be an idealist that honestly believes the things that he has been taught to believe, such as the existence of Godot. His existential analysis of life and fate are the pivotal elements that move the play forward. He is undoubtedly the main character in right and essence.

Socially, we know that Vladimir is an idealist and wishes for people to treat each other as they should: Fairly, humanely, respectfully. He detests Pozzo's abusive ways with Lucky and, perhaps for this reason, he is even more protective of Estragon. In all, Vladimir is a born philosopher.

In all, Vladimir is the heartbeat of the play. He is Estragon's and Pozzo's foil in that he is both thoughtful and kind, respectively. He represents the stratus of society that believes in something and lives by it. In modern terms, he may represent us all: The people who dream, the people believe, and the people who aspire. However, as in every absurdist play, we will see that Vladimir will not go too far, unfortunately, as Godot never really shows up.

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What are the characteristics of Estragon in Waiting for Godot?

Estragon (also found under the nickname GOGO), is one of the main characters of Samuel Beckett's absurd play Waiting for Godot.

The most salient characteristics of Estragon in the play come from his intellect, rather than his demeanor, or his looks. Almost immediately after the play begins we realize that he is basically the weakest link of the Vladimir-Estragon dyad. For once, he needs much reinforcement and help from Vladimir in terms of taking care of himself, understanding things, and remembering situations.

Estragon does not ponder upon things, but worries about them instead. In the play he is in a consistent state of anxiety and doubt. He wants to leave Vladimir, but never does. He questions the existence of Godot, but keeps waiting for him at Vladimir's request. He is what we could call a simpleton.

This being said, Estragon represents a weaker dimension of society. He is the follower, the one who obeys the order rather than initiate it, and lives in such a cloud that he hardly has time to realize what is happening around him.

Symbolically speaking, Estragon represents living in oblivion. Not knowing what is going on in the world around you, and following whatever others tell you to do. He is every person who does not control life and, contrastingly, allows life to control him (along with Pozzo and who knows how many)

Socially, Estragon represents the typical oppressed citizen that does not question nor fight the current situation: He simply lets everything happen even if it means getting beat up, or talked down to. Contrastingly to Lucky, who has no choice, Estragon very well could change his life if only he weren't so co-dependent on Vladimir.

In conclusion, Estragon is the weaker man between himself and Vladimir. He is also a co-dependent man, a clueless man, a floater, and someone who does not live reality as it should be. He goes with the flow and, since he isn't able to control his life, he worries about what will happen to "it". Like the rest, he waits for Godot endlessly, and for no purpose whatsoever.

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