Waiting for Godot and The House of Bernarda Alba

1550 Words4 Pages

In the plays Waiting for Godot and The House of Bernarda Alba, life and death are significant concepts. Life is meaningless in Godot as they merely wait until death, whilst Bernarda Alba depicts futility of life without passion, love or freedom. The House of Bernarda Alba, through Adela’s rebellious spirit signifies living a life that is passionate, while in Waiting for Godot Beckett seems to imply that life is meaningless. Whilst Waiting for Godot focuses more on the metaphorical aspect of death, The House of Bernarda Alba takes on the literal death through Adela’s suicide. As playwrights, Lorca and Beckett convey their views on life and death through their works. Beckett portrays a cyclical, boring existence in Waiting for Godot, whilst dramatic action is explicitly evident in Lorca’s The House of Bernarda Alba. Just as their views on life are contrasting, the two playwrights have different views on death as well. This is caused by the major cultural differences between the two playwrights. Lorca’s work is set in the Spanish Culture and the Civil War’s social repression, while the views expressed in Beckett's absurdist play is significantly affected by WWII existentialism. Both Beckett and Lorca agree that death is an inevitable occurrence, however they have different views on its significance. Through the characterization of their main characters, the playwrights illuminate their contrasting views on life and death.

Through depicting their main characters significant life events, Lorca and Beckett convey their contrasting view on life. Waiting for Godot indicates no purpose for our actions and existence. Reiterating the purposelessness of life, the lives of the character are a repetitive cycle of meaningless conversation an...

... middle of paper ...

...kett conveys his belief that life is merely a waiting period for one's death, in The House of Bernarda Alba, Lorca through Adele's fiery spirit, shows a passionate life. Thus, through the lives of Vladimir, Estragon and Adela the two playwrights' respective views on life were portrayed. The playwrights’ view of death however, is similar, as both view death as a source of change and insignificant event in society. Life and death is a significant theme explored in both Waiting for Godot and The House of Bernarda Alba, and through these plays, the audience inevitably gains new perceptions for life and death.

Works Cited

Beckett, Samuel. Waiting For Godot. 3rd ed. N.p.: CPI Group, 2006. Print. Vol. 1 of Samuel Beckett: The Complete Dramatic Works. 4 vols

Lorca, Federico Garcia. La Casa de Bernarda Alba, Manchester University Press, 1984. Print

Show More
Related

  • Hamlet Death Essay

    613 Words  | 2 Pages

    Death is an eternal mystery and the most controversial subject stemming from human inexperience. Its inescapability and uncertainty can give insights on the core principles and vulnerability of human nature. In Shakespeare’s tragedy Hamlet he skilfully makes use of death as a lashing force to explore the depths of his characters along the way illustrating man’s continual dilemma “To be or not to be”?

    Read More

  • Death and Emily Dickinson

    1312 Words  | 3 Pages

    “Death, the end of life: the time when someone or something dies” (Merriam-Webster, 2014). The definition of death is quite simple, the end of life is inescapable. I chose to write about death and impermanence because it is something we all must inevitably face. People often deal with death in a number of different ways. Although it is something that we must eventually face, it can be hard to come to terms with because the idea can be hard to grasp. Some of us fear it, others are able to accept it, either way we all must eventually face it. In this essay I will look at two different literary works about death and impermanence and compare and contrast the different elements of the point of view, theme, setting, and symbolism. The comparison of these particular works will offer a deeper look into words written by the authors and the feelings that they experiencing at that particular time.

    Read More

  • Beckett's Endgame

    2799 Words  | 6 Pages

    While Beckett’s works are often defined by their existentialist themes, Endgame seems to offer no solution to the despair and melancholia of Hamm, Clov, Nagg, and Nell. The work is replete with overdetermination that confounds the efforts of critics and philosophers to construct a single, unified theme for the play. Beckett resisted any effort to reconcile the problems of his world, offer solutions, or quench any fears overtly. However, this surface level of understanding that aligns Beckett with the pessimism of the Modernist movement is ironically different from the symbolic understanding that Beckett promotes through his characters and the scene. Beckett’s work does not suggest total hopelessness, but rather that the fears of change, self-centeredness, and despair of Hamm and Clov contribute to their miserable existence. He opposes the Modernist attitude of focus on the subjective, internal state, and reveals the soul of the Modernist to be shallow and starving.

    Read More

  • Freedom to Choose in Waiting for Godot, Slaughterhouse-Five, and Iraq

    1484 Words  | 3 Pages

    abandoned the conventions of the classical play to concentrate on his important message to humanity. Using his pathetic characters, Estragon and Vladimir, Beckett illustrates the importance of human free will in a land ruled by science and technology. He understood the terrors of progress as he witnessed first hand the destruction caused by technologically-improved weapons working as a spy during WWII. In his tragicomedy, Estragon and Vladimir spend the entire time futilely waiting for Godot to arrive. They believe that this mysterious Godot will help them solve their problems and merely sit and wait for their solution to arrive. Beckett utilizes these characters to warn the reader of the dangers of depending on fate and others to improve one's existence. He supports this idea when Estragon blames his boots and not himself for the pain in his feet, and Vladimir responds, "There'...

    Read More

  • Critical Review of Wit by Margaret Edson

    1076 Words  | 3 Pages

    In summary, Vivian Bearing’s different perspectives of life and death in various periods convey the tension between life and death. Vivian’s confidence collapses step by step with the threat of death. She once became scared and just wanted to hide away from the world. However, finally, she accepts her death peacefully rather than frustrated and scared. People do not usually think about death until they get the last moment of their lives. In this play, “Wit” indicates that death is not a fearful thing, but a natural and serious thing. People shall not be afraid of death. Wit inspires audiences to consider the true meaning of life. With the clear organization and successful antithesis, Wit is a great play that not only demonstrates the interesting plots but also inspires us to ponder over the real connection between life and death.

    Read More

  • The Theme Of Death In Othello and A Doll's House

    1068 Words  | 3 Pages

    The theme of death is present in many works of literature. It is given metaphors and cloaked with different meanings, yet it always represents an end. Every end signifies a new beginning, and every death gives rise to a new birth. Physical death “...is mere transformation, not destruction,” writes Ding Ming-Dao. “What dies is merely the identity, the identification of a collection of parts that we called a person. What dies is only our human meaning” (49). Figuratively speaking, death symbolizes a change, an interruption or cessation of regular routine. In this sense, death can be viewed as a more positive occurrence, because change leads to new experience, which, in turn, leads to knowledge and a better understanding of life. The plays Othello and A Doll House both encompass the theme of death. While the former deals with physical death, the latter depicts a change, a transformation of a period of time and a way of life.

    Read More

  • Existentialism In Vladimir And Estragon's Waiting For Godot

    968 Words  | 2 Pages

    The play “Waiting for Godot” has all the traits of existentialism both Vladimir and Estragon represent the man in general who is facing the problems of his existence in this world. They are interdependent like all other man. Hope for salvation is the subject of play and is the problem faced by the whole human race. Representing the man in general, the two tramps realize the futility of their exercise and we note that they are merely filling up the hours with the pointless activity. Hence their ‘waiting’ is mechanical and deals with problem of existentialism.

    Read More

  • The Frontier of Existence in Beckett’s Waiting for Godot and Ionesco’s Rhinoceros

    2044 Words  | 5 Pages

    This essay will explore the frontier of existence in Beckett’s Waiting for Godot and Ionesco’s Rhinoceros

    Read More

  • Time and Repetition in Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett

    999 Words  | 2 Pages

    Life is made up of different routines and schedules that are followed by the ordinary human being daily. In ‘Waiting for Godot’, Samuel Beckett uses time and repetition consistently throughout the play to demonstrate how these routines and habits are key elements in the course of life itself. The three main devices Beckett uses are the illogical pass of time, the lack of a past or a future and the absurdity of repetition in both dialogue and actions within the main characters and their surroundings.

    Read More

  • Waiting for Godot and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead: The Theatre of the Absurd

    791 Words  | 2 Pages

    Beckett, Samuel. Waiting for Godot : tragicomedy in 2 acts. New York: Grove Press, 1982. Print.

    Read More

  • Society And Motifs In Federico Lorca's Blood Wedding

    1208 Words  | 3 Pages

    The roles of society included expectations,family inheritance, and how conflicts were dealt with. Expectations helped develop and correlate family inheritance. While family inheritance brought burdens and expectations to fill.The conflicts which bring the part of responsibility of family inheritance. Thus the motifs which foreshadowed what would happen in the play and what effect it had.The motifs were knifes that brought destruction and death. While greed brought the marriage together and conflict. Which then revealed the themes of cycle of life,the progression of time,choice, and fate. Lorca’s message is duties to family’s needs verse duties to self. Characters feel obligated to fufill familys wants and needs like the Bride to fulfill her family 's needs.Also the Bridegroom which followed everything and attended his mother’s needs.While Leonardo is different he goes against society which causes conflict of the Bride putting her own needs first.Now see the change which Lorca is trying to convey, that there is now the old generation verse the new generation.The old caring about their status and view to society.While the new is finding your own happiness.Over the course of the play conflict,roles,and motifs are developed in within the

    Read More

  • Analysis of the Play "EveryMan" by Anonymous Author

    1308 Words  | 3 Pages

    The play is so well written and the unknown author is given a unique name to its main lead Everyman to symbolize the simple human being. In this play the death is personified in a way which grabs the attention of the audiences and it attracts them to think it’s real instead of being fiction and the superb writing of the unknown author. The author talks about God’s (Jesus) death and g...

    Read More

  • Sartre’s Existentialism in Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot

    1566 Words  | 4 Pages

    Kern, Edith. “Drama Stripped for Inaction: Beckett’s Godot.” Yale French Studies. Vol. 14. Yale University Press, 1954. 41-47. JSTOR. 22 Mar. 2004. http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0044-0078%281954>.

    Read More

  • Examples Of Existentialism In Waiting For Godot

    2060 Words  | 5 Pages

    The world of Existentialism is a result of the destruction of individualism and the deterioration of the human condition. As the characters display helplessness and a lack of identity, they are exposed to a universe that is far beyond their capabilities and understanding. Through their meaningless action, they go about their lives with no purpose. Although Waiting for Godot is not an existential piece because Samuel Beckett himself did not identify as an existentialist, the play contains traits of existentialism in the characters themselves, the reoccurring theme of waiting over time, and the overall hidden meaning and message behind the play.

    Read More

  • Waiting For Godot Analysis

    1289 Words  | 3 Pages

    Although Samuel Beckett's tragicomedy, Waiting for Godot, has no definite meaning or interpretation, the play acts as a statement of hopelessness regarding human existence. Debate surrounds the play because, due to its simplicity, almost any interpretation is valid. The main characters, Vladimir and Estragon, are aging men who must wait for a person, being, or object named Godot, but this entity never appears to grace the men with this presence. Both characters essentially demonstrate how one must go through life when hope is nonexistent as they pointlessly attempt to entertain themselves with glum conversation in front of a solitary tree. The Theater of the Absurd, a prevalent movement associated with Waiting for Godot, serves as the basis for the message of hopelessness in his main characters. Samuel Beckett's iconic Waiting for Godot and his perception of the characteristics and influence of the Theater of the Absurd illustrate the pointlessness and hopelessness regarding existence. In the play, boredom is mistaken for hopelessness because the men have nothing to do, as they attempt to occupy themselves as, for some reason, they need to wait for Godot. No hope is present throughout the two-act play with little for Estragon and Vladimir to occupy their time while they, as the title indicates, wait for Godot.

    Read More

More about Waiting for Godot and The House of Bernarda Alba

Open Document