Why should you read "Waiting For Godot"? - Iseult Gillespie

[@evrasdustysandal]

The Irish for the word "forever" is "go deo". Beckett was Irish, loved languages and plays on words, so rather than waiting for God that people assume, it's more likely the play is "waiting forever" which is exactly what the characters do..

[@janehowlett5158]

Wow

[@TeaDrinkingDragon]

woah

[@51Dss]

Brilliant revelation into the dynamic that drives the 2 characters into their circular dialog - and could it be that Vladimir and Estragon and the story teller are a metaphorical holy trinity. 3 characters in one person. A single person (the story teller) desperately trying to plumb the depths of that which is unavailable to the mortal man - "eternity" which is to say God. It also strikes me that the name Estragon is very suggestive of the female hormone estrogen. So Vladimir might well be the masculine voice always coming up with practical sounding things to do while waiting and Estrogon is fretting about what to do next - the feminine aspect of a single consciousness.

[@welshpete12]

Interesting , thank you for posting !

[@bitoffbalance4021]

@@51Dss why do you try to find meaning in this play? It was written with no particular intention , just enjoy it and let it go

[@Max-bo3di]

Two men are waiting, when they got tired of waiting , they decided to wait some more. The End.

[@zodix44]

Lol. Thats really the whole play

[@jorisvandenhoek6251]

@@zodix44 yeah kinda, exept for dem two other dudes that show up

[@buddhistsympathizer1136]

To fill the time while waiting, they post comments on KZbin videos

[@indrajeetpatel5058]

two men both had suicidal tendency invented a imagery character to avoid suicide.

[@ximenazea524]

🤣🤣🤣

[@neoir8514]

Godot is that one douchbag friend that always flakes at the last minute and doesn’t tell you

[@archaicfalcon4898]

Inglorious Basterd He is also the coffee enthusiast who magically summons a cup of coffee every single trial.

[@forestvvoods577]

😭😭 this sounds personal

[@godisdeadandwememedhim4174]

Probably this interpretation is the most accurate one.

[@Diana8Matienzo]

*watches video* Maybe I should re-read this! *she does not move*

[@PetrMichalec]

Same here :'DD

[@wtfhowbizarre1946]

Already read it. The Pet Shop Boys mention Waiting for Godot in their song Red Letter Day.

[@saurabhmishra1005]

maybe she's waiting for the next video!

[@jolivas7]

Brilliant

[@docmagoos78]

Xzcdsgbbcxjnq😊🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮😎🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🧠🧠🧠🧠🧠🧠👷‍♀️🧠

[@Brainstorm69]

Hats are the only thing you can be sure of in life.

[@QQTrick1QQ]

Death and taxes

[@paddleduck5328]

Two things 😁

[@Alexandra-ip2by]

i aggree

[@Endothermia]

What is this, TF2?

[@seymournerds342]

Maybe by hat he means their consciousness

[@felipee4622]

Could you do a ‘why you should read’ playlist? Please

[@johnsailorsgoat]

They already have one.

[@felipee4622]

@@johnsailorsgoat Could you send me link?

[@TEDEd]

Here you go, Felipe E: kzbin.info/www/bejne/apXRaId7n9OVhrs

[@1996Pinocchio]

@Blackbone Yes, why?

[@professionalprocrastinator_.]

@Blackbone Actually its their playlist on 'why you should read...' topic. No one is telling you to read the playlist.

[@bkg5494]

wrote a term paper on this play, essentially my take was: human action is irrelevant (“they do not move”), just as effective communication is irrelevant (E and V constantly repeat themselves and each other without ever being on the same page), and lastly socioeconomic status is irrelevant (Pozzo’s need for adulation), because the only thing worth living for is human connection. Without each other, E and V would have nothing left and no reason to continue waiting, nothing to “live” for.

[@marghe2116]

What an interesting take! I never thought of that

[@gcvrsa]

It's certainly important to read "Waiting for Godot", but it is far more important to see it performed. It is, after all, a play, and it is meant to be experienced as a live theatre performance.

[@godisdeadandwememedhim4174]

I read a lot of Becket and yes, performed is a lot more catchy and funny. The physical gags works only in that way.

[@rachel9876]

Is there any recorded version?

[@bhaskarbrahma8254]

@@rachel9876 There is a movie on the play, you can watch it if you feel like to.

[@UncleVegetable]

I’ve seen it three times, before the box set of DVDs was released.

[@mariapazgonzalezlesme]

We are all like Estragon and Vladimir, we are waiting for something / someone to find meaning in our everyday life. Hoping for Godot to give us an answer ( or an allegory to God. )

[@ADEehrh]

in another 3-4 billion years I would love to be able to ask those still looking at the sky waiting; "Anything yet?"

[@1996Pinocchio]

One should not forget that Estragon and Vladimir are only Persons, not real Human beings. Their only purpose is to exist, it doesn't matter what they do, they can fill a theater.

[@1000OtherFoxes]

Unfortunately i think less and less people are searching for meaning, purpose or rational thinking...I'm under the impression that i see more and more people wanting to be entertained, scrolling endless meaningless content just to be distracted from ... (fill in the blank) they don't want to search for things they want answers to things, not even knowing or questioning why they believe what they believe leading to less and less constructive debates or ideas.... Just my opinion.

[@mariapazgonzalezlesme]

@@ADEehrh The reply will probably like the same or slightly changed over time.

[@mariapazgonzalezlesme]

@@1000OtherFoxes Sadly, that's the thing with humankind. We are ephimereal. Perhaps the weight of mortality and that our existence is, in many senses, unique yet easily repleceable; has took a toll on us.

[@iknig1]

I once saw this play acted in a theatre in Melbourne by two actors in their seventies, who had both played the characters before in a play together in their youth at University. Absolutely magical to see them having lived out these lines together over decades.

[@sonalithakur4970]

Half of the things you've read in school and never paid attention, turn out to be pretty interesting when it is taught by TedEd.

[@briantw]

Such as finishing sentences?

[@christopherfernandes4401]

You are correct. We had to study this play in Catholic school for religion class at Neil McNeil High School in Toronto. The priest teaching this course was from Ireland. His interpretation of the play went above the intelligence of most of the class. But now almost 50 years later, I have come to a new understanding of this play. Sometimes we do not have an understanding of life experiences to comprehend this play at the time it is being taught.

[@aarone1777]

Nearly everything I learned in school was either taught in the most boring way possible; or very incomplete. I have learned soooo much more after my school years that I want to build a time machine go back and slap the L out of at least 3 of my "teachers"!

[@CK_Godoth]

@@christopherfernandes4401 Oh could you please sum up what your priest/teacher taught? I'd be interested to know!

[@christopherfernandes4401]

@@CK_Godoth : This play ( Waiting for Godot) by S Becket was taught by Fr John Geary at Neil McNeil High School in Toronto. Fr. Geary had many interpretations on the play ‘Waiting for Godot’. Some of his explanations were, at that time I was in high school, above my level of understanding. He talked about the play from a religious view point; the people have had the clergy “think" for them, and the clergy respond by spouting nonsensical phrases that the people cannot understand, but accept. Christ the Messiah has come and yet people are still waiting for the Messiah. Another interpretations he talked about was from the point of a Freudian analyst, where the two characters represent the ID and the Ego. Still another interpretation was from the point of Jungian analyst which was way above our heads. He discussed this play in greater detail than anyone in the class wanted.

[@parn2160]

I can relate to this story so much on a personal level. How the two characters are waiting for an imaginary character to show them the way, give some sign.. I'm doing the same. I'm waiting for something miraculous to get me out of this viciousness in my life and I know there's no point and there'd be no sign, no change, but I'm still waiting. I don't know for what exactly.

[@Acetaminophen69]

For death

[@parn2160]

@@Acetaminophen69 maybe.. yeah.

[@Suberi909]

Yh, it seems that life in itself does not give a real purpose. When we look at science, the answers what we get to these kinds of questions are that we are just a product of chance, there is no excuse for our existance and at the end we will die. Every morning we will wake up, have our morning routines and jump to our vicious cycle and repeat it day after day. However, I think we do have a meaning for our life. I do believe that the Godot we are waiting for is the God himself, since He is our maker. I think there are many good arguments why God does exist but it would seem that the best argument is how the world is seen without the existance of God. It is the choice that takes us apart of our very purpose. I said that I believe that God exists. I also believe, that 2000 years ago He came on earth in the form of Jesus Christ. He lived a perfect life and died for us on the cross. After this, Jesus was resurrected and all who believe this and accept Him as their God will have a personal relationship with Him and be resurrected as well, when He comes back. Since it would seem we do not have a purpose without God, I strongly encourage you to give Him a chance. If there is no God, there is no backfire for believing in Him. However, if there is God, there is an eternity to gain. Without God, we are trapped in this endless vicious cycle of agony and the only cure for it is death. But if God is with us, He will stand with us when we have tough time. The choice is yours.

[@speedy01247]

I don't believe in god, but if I did I find that he also has no purpose, after all if we have a purpose in god, what does he have a purpose for? If it is for us then why should we have a purpose for him after all he created us therefore we could do the same and find purpose in that which we create, if he has a purpose that is not us, then what is that purpose and why should we care if it does not relate to us? (I need to state that I am an agnostic and can't believe in any current form of god as written in the major religions due to skepticism and the unreal nature of those religions, its not like I have not read the bible, but rather the act of having read it which tore my Christianity away from me) Words only have meaning if you can believe what is written and the meaning comes not from the words so much as it does from your understanding of the words. I find this true about most everything in life, if you want it to have meaning you can give it meaning, but if you don't it won't, of course that meaning must be something you support or else it will still feel worthless.

[@paulryan2128]

@@Suberi909 you believe & you think a lotta stuff...

[@istalkghosts497]

I just love how the message given here in this play. The sad state of human existence, the waiting process, waiting for life to be given a meaning by something or someone. And this play is relevant even now. Just look at what is happening around us. We are all waiting for this lockdown to be over with. We are all waiting for life to return to normal.

[@ivanaceran]

“What do we do now, now that we are happy?”. Amazing work.

[@lillysnet9345]

In peace prosperity... In war victory.

[@royall55]

Shall we take a moment to appreciate the narrator. He is a true rhetorician. His name is Jack Cutmore-Scott.

[@Thejampacker]

royall55 didn’t appreciate the cockney accent though

[@briantw]

The narrator* is pretentious.

[@AndrewEdwardBailey]

Brian Tristam Williams The narrator narrates. There is no opportunity for pretence.

[@createone100]

Jack Holland Good God man! If you imagine he has a cockney accent, you are likely aimlessly waiting for enlightenment too! You must get out more.

[@michaelwertzy9808]

@@griffinslack741, That's what she said! (I just thought of this). No, really!! Or not?

[@karansmittal]

Always the best animation for Educational content no one can beat it

[@paulatreides3214]

Pretty sure Kurzgesagt could, at the very least, rival it.

[@issacramsey7991]

Damn sure kurzgesagt could beat it or rival it

[@adkakociskova6327]

And the school of life

[@filurenerik1643]

@@paulatreides3214 They only have one artstyle. Ted-ed has so many, which is why I consider them superior animation-wise.

[@castle9165]

The animation is beautiful, just beautiful.

[@toaryangupta]

The best theatre keeps us thinking and waiting...

[@marunomi]

The only time a lawyer can cry is when it's all over.

[@Ssure2]

"In my world, the colour red doesn't exist. These must be... my tears."

[@hahalord7294]

Was waiting for this

[@s.l.3463]

@Azur0 Welp, I guess we are all waiting for Godot.

[@youinanalternateuniverse]

I was waiting for someone to bring him up!

[@archaicfalcon4898]

"I saved my 17th cup of coffee just for you."

[@norie2436]

I’ll never forget when I first heard these lines during an analysis of the play. “Waiting for Godot is not about Godot. Waiting for Godot is about waiting.”

[@davideaston6944]

If Godot wasn't (didn't "be"), to be waited for, then there would be no reason to be waiting (which would negate the waiting being what the play is about); the play is (HAS TO BE) about Godot. To misinterpret that is to misinterpret the entire point of the sentiment. Allegorically, it would be like proposing an atheist sits waiting for God, when the atheist has already accepted the non-existence of God. They simply wouldn't bother.

[@norie2436]

@@davideaston6944 When you say interpretation, there is no ‘one’ interpretation for the play and there are no rights or wrongs when we talk about interpretations. In literature, the meanings are never set in stone so I don’t entirely agree with you using the term ‘misinterpretation.’ Beckett based Godot on a letter he received from someone of the same name saying ‘I’m sorry to have kept you waiting.’ When asked about Godot, he said he regretted calling the character Godot because it had given rise to so many religious theories. And that if he had meant God by Godot, he would have said God, not Godot. Additionally, the example you gave is the one people denote to Godot the most. A more diversifying interpretation thus is to think Godot stands for all of the things we want an explanation from. And all the things that never arrive. And while yes, the waiting would not be there without the Godot to be waited for, the waiting is a constant and Godot, a variable. The waiting is what everyone can relate to.

[@davideaston6944]

@@norie2436 Sorry, but I'll have to 100% disagree with you, from you beginning premise, that "there are no rights or wrongs when we talk about interpretations. In literature, the meanings are never set in stone"; I stand in the camp of "if it wasn't MEANT to mean ?something?, don't write (paint / sing / pick your art) it." Beckett, I trust, was NOT the artist that said, "It's means what YOU think it means"; I will give him FAR MORE credit than that. If you think he was that ethereal, that narrow in mind, then, I can't help you. Paraphrasing Chekov, 'The gun better be there for an eventual reason'. EVERY WORD Beckett wrote, I will contend, meant EXACTLY ?something?, and so there ultimately IS a "right or wrong". This isn't to say people can and do or might have different interpretations of ?any? art. But they'll as equally be "wrong", if they're not the correct interpretations. What a weak argument it is for either an artist or their audience to suggest that, "It means what it means to you!". Nope, not buying it, and never have, Cheers!

[@norie2436]

@@davideaston6944 And voila, as I said before, ‘a work of art’ is open to many interpretations, it really is okay if you don’t buy this or agree with it. Peace.

[@davideaston6944]

@@norie2436 Well, to be clear (as I thought I said before), you'd be wrong. It's your wording that makes it wrong, perhaps not your sentiment... ??? Any properly designed piece of art could be interpreted many ways, yes; but they would all be looking on closed doors. The only door "open" is the intent created by the artist. Cheers!

[@drewwon]

Take a minute to appreciate how good the animation of these videos are. Makes the experience so pleasant to learn about

[@Cielo20023]

Godot is drinking coffee, he will arrive in a few minutes...

[@vibecheck2132]

Kevin Eduardo So MANY REFENREECES EEFUCK YES

[@sethleoric2598]

A: hey man see you by [very specific location] b: okay see u in a bit bruv [Many hours later] b: siiip.... i think i was gonna do something

[@Darcyyyyyyyyyyy]

Kevin Eduardo untill then you should just keep waiting ;)

[@adriatical9016]

is this a reference from the book?

[@Freddos11]

@@adriatical9016 Maybe, or maybe from Ace Attorney: Trials & Tribulations :p

[@greenhat3667]

Video: Estragon Me: *eStRoGeN*

[@vm3175]

There was a theater organization in my university that performed a play that had a similiar plot of Waiting for Godot, instead of waiting for Godot, it was a group of people that were waiting for a bus. The bus was supposed to take them somewhere but it broke down, then a bus authority will come and go and promise the group that the bus will be fixed the next day. As they were waiting, they were contemplating if they should just walk to their destination or wait for the bus. In end, only a few people waited and most of them walked to their destination. The director told the audience it is up to us how we interpret the play.

[@wiggax7966]

that is actually interesting play😲

[@Woodman-Spare-that-tree]

Cop out.

[@khadijahtariq7437]

This made me strangely anxious...

[@footage6402]

Ohshit same

[@lazypops3117]

that's the bloody problem with existentialists..

[@wshkspr1]

I've directed it and performed the role of Lucky. Both times the complexity and simplicity of the work was nearly paralyzing. It is beautifully composed, with an almost zen-like poetry in simple phrasings. A revolution of thought, it changed the face of modern drama and is without question is the most influential play of the twentieth century and relevant for any other time. "Oedipus," "Hamlet," and "Godot," they are the immortals.

[@Mazidox]

Probably my favorite play to date. Every time I come back to it, I seem to find meanings in new ways. Highly recommend it.

[@quahntasy]

I will definitely consider reading this now. And can you make a 'why you should read' Playlist?

[@TEDEd]

Hi! We actually have one already. Here you go: kzbin.info/www/bejne/apXRaId7n9OVhrs

[@millicentwamuru314]

@@TEDEd can you make one on "a picture of Dorian Gray"

[@nadeensaleem5]

Definitely one of my favorites. The most profound play I’ve ever encountered.

[@armandomartinez8957]

I find it strange how, when talking about plays, many people would say “why you should read Hamlet.” One should encourage others to SEE Hamlet, or in this case, Godot. They were written for the stage and are best appreciated that way.

[@valley_robot]

I've read and enjoyed "as you like it * as a play, as a performance by modern actors I find it annoying, reading the original play gives you the ability to make the players yourself inside your own head, modern luvvies reading this play do it no justice in my opinion. It's incredibly funny but I never saw that in watching the play performed by modern actors

[@JohnSmith-qs5fg]

Young Monk: “Do not try and bend the spoon-that's impossible. Instead, only try to realize the truth.” Neo: “What truth?” Young Monk: “There is no spoon.”

[@RABIET100]

He won't arrive, he's too busy drinking his coffee cup #71

[@RemyWillard]

Dyslexia with the number? ...or is he already on his third cup of his fifth trial?

[@sid98geek]

Lol

[@RenderingUser]

me: waits for godot 4.0 to be released

[@MewPurPur]

Waiting 4 Godot

[@btsbiot1340]

Me too

[@pvvineet1722]

@@MewPurPur deserves lot more likes

[@Lucas-xt7lw]

More like "Waiting to have my face covered in scalding hot coffee"

[@BassCrossMegamanSP]

I was searching for this reference.

[@memeticzengine]

You found it. And it is good.

[@vibecheck2132]

AH YEAH GOOD REFERENCE MMMMMM FINALLY

[@memeticzengine]

with this video i kinda saw it coming like "godot"

[@Ssure2]

Blend #102, his personal favourite

[@lorettap.925]

I had discovered Tom Stoppard's "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead" in high school and had fallen in love with it, and when we learned about "Waiting for Godot", I got really excited, because it sounded exactly like Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Then I read that part in our textbook, and it turned out that this play was indeed an inspiration for Tom Stoppard.

[@safaeelamrani2497]

Good job we're waiting for more ❤

[@null3007]

So this is where Godot from Ace Attorney got his name from. Basically, the person waiting was Mia Fey, and by the time Godot arrived, Mia was dead. Whoever made the names for these Characters is a genius.

[@JackeOfNoTrades]

his name also comes from his real identity: dieGO armanDO (add a T to the end and there you go)

[@thegunnerclub5477]

Perfect narration Loved it

[@ACAB.forcutie]

I volunteered as an usher at my local theater and they put this on. I watched it so many times and loved it every single time

[@mystery1317]

Haven’t read ‘Waiting For Godot’ but I read ‘Endgame’ (also by Beckett) and enjoyed it a lot! Many of the elements pointed out in this video are also present in ‘Endgame’ such as the circular narrative and the characters saying they’ll do things and then doing nothing at all. I recommend it!

[@janesda]

Aren't plays meant to be seen performed rather than read?

[@naethavenir9422]

Godot is that one friend who finally agreed to play video games with but then when you’re going to pay an Online multiplayer game he never comes and you and your other friend are just there, waiting, if he will ever come up.

[@superwonder6411]

Waiting for Godot is my favourite play of all time. I have performed, watched, directed and designed for this show more times than any other performance I've ever done.

[@jnbfilm56]

I just finished reading it. Wish I can see it being played some day. I thought it was funny, weird and strangely profound. I like how it has lots meaning without being preachy or filled with motifs. I recommend it

[@TGears314]

I saw this play years ago and I’m still trying to figure it out. This video only served to make it make more sense, so much so its more confusing than before. I love it

[@Bill-fe1nb]

Do,The little prince.

[@Katy020]

Bill cipher! Weird seeing you here

[@danaputera7197]

As a wise man once said, "Good things might come to those who wait, but not for those who wait too late."

[@kirbymarchbarcena]

The play seems an allegory of waiting for an event to give one's life true meaning.

[@marvinchoudhary1116]

This was byfar the most comprehensive explanation of this play ...if that is even posible .... a must read .. love to have more of these

[@unleashingpotential-psycho9433]

I will definitely consider reading this now.

[@Sam_on_YouTube]

It's a play. Try to watch it. A much better experience. But Rozencratz and Gilderstern are Dead is better in my opinion. Also, Waiting for Guffman is a great film loosely based on Godot.

[@emeken]

You can watch it on KZbin! It really drives home the absurdity.

[@aadityadalal1198]

Can you tell me which book u read (if you have bought one) or which one would you prefer

[@ruiyanzhu3290]

Somehow I think you’re being ironic

[@ieatgremlins]

The animation in these videos are always great but this one is particularly remarkable.

[@caney3824]

We read it at school. A great play!

[@johnsailorsgoat]

*play

[@caney3824]

@@johnsailorsgoat yes, thank you. You're right. It's been a while .. ^^

[@michaeljohnangel6359]

No. Romeo and Juliet is a great play. Becket is a great play. The Clouds is a great play. Waiting for Godot is for little children. It makes an obvious point, and takes two hours to do it.

[@ishi7123]

@@michaeljohnangel6359 romeo and juliet is overrated.

[@Gameworks1407]

@@ishi7123 true. But so Godot

[@tedium37]

I gathered just enough to justify never feeling the need to see this. Thank you

[@dariusthurman8835]

The lesson was don't wait for someone to give your live meaning after chaos hits you. You just stagnate.

[@raphs-place]

Beautiful visualisation and analysis of the plays history. You truly did it justice. It's one of my favourite plays of all time, and I thank you for continuing its legacy.

[@laurenfontaine6310]

The Lucky character is honestly one of the best parts. Like it’s outright hilarious as Lucky and Pozzo show such a bizarre relationship with the rope and the monologue of Lucky near the end

[@advisorypoly]

He also discussed the meaning of his work with actors when he directed the play.

[@sophieroll]

I love this play! Short and brilliant :)

[@goldbug7127]

I was cast in a University production in 1972 as the Boy. I admit, I was too young to have the experience necessary to comprehend what I was involved with, and since I was in the cast, I didn't see the production. The Director prefaced each performance with a speech, telling the audience to take a pill they would find under their chair that would make them forget about the essay they invariably had to write. My father came to see me perform, and I was sure that he would be as confused as I was. He was a smart enough man, but he began working in a coal mine when he was sixteen. Incredibly, he explained it to me, saying that it reminded him of the Depression. No work, no prospects, living hand to mouth, lots of time to contemplate the struggles of the world. I recommend that you forego reading the script, and find a production to watch.

[@rachell1794]

I've been a bit skeptical about "Waiting for Godot," and while I'm happy with the points made in this video, I think I would enjoy it as a performance more so than reading it.

[@leonidaspetsakos9690]

My life is basically like this play. Waiting for something to happen, not knowing what it is, when it will happen, if it will ever happen....

[@eddietucker3334]

I have been thinking for years about directing an absurdist play for my local 99-seater. I'm considering "Oh Dad Poor Dad..." and "The Physicists" and after watching this wonderful video, "Wiating for Godot."

[@leonidasvazouras1796]

That's it. TED-Ed turned into a reading recommendations and riddle channel.

[@Ssure2]

That's a good thing, right?

[@PaigeHarken]

Technically, the “absurdism” movement wasn’t a movement at all. There were multiple playwrights across the globe who all wrote plays in similar absurd styles without any sort of communication or planning with each other. It wasn’t until years later when scholars looked at these plays, all written around the same time, and said, “Hey, these are all very similar in these specific ways.” And then labeled the movement (if you’d like to call it that) absurdism.

[@timothyjamison8172]

That's absurd!

[@mcboonekamp5400]

Technically, most cultural movements developed without communication calling out its own specificis and were recognized and named in retrospect. But yeah, technically, you're right.

[@paulryan2128]

Paige - thanks for your contribution, I hadn't heard that pov before but it makes sense

[@michaeljohnangel6359]

Absurdism is truly absurd. It's only for pretentious no-brainers. Seriously, the stuff is moronic - it claims that for itself, and it's correct; only fools give it time.

[@emmab5035]

for a level drama we're doing both godot and berkoff's adaption of metamorphosis. i don't think i'll find any other plays which so perfectly express the frustration of life; working yourself to death and waiting for, well, nothing. i play estragon and i love the character so much, it's been a real transformation in my acting abilities as i've found so much in him and so much in myself that sort of meet in the middle onstage. in this era of existentialism and anonymous authority and empty consumer capitalism, i really think absurdist theatre couldn't be more relevant.

[@smileforhiba]

I remember reading Waiting for Godot in my second year of uni ... It was frustrating yet its concept intrigued me ... i would have REALLY appreciated this if it was uploaded 3 years ago heheheh

[@Lostcarrot]

Studied this as part of my musical theatre degree. Absolutely loved it

[@smnwbb]

The play is very much about love. SB tipped us off when he answered a question about Pozzo and Lucky: "I only know one thing - Pozzo loves Lucky." Taken that way, Lucky's speech isn't remotely absurd - no more than a ruined city is absurd. "He used to think beautifully." said Pozzo.

[@koleyw932]

I saw "Endgame" by Beckett and had no idea what I was seeing. Too deep for me, I needed a translator.

[@vibecheck2132]

I immediately thought of Godot from ace attorney.

[@okamiameterasu710]

i think a good deal of people (including myself) did

[@jandreamarquez8480]

This was my 9th grade project and required us to summarize the whole play into 15 minutes, I remember reading this and never realizing or appreciating this play back then. I wish I could go back maybe life would've changed after then.

[@ckaren001araujoh.9]

I'm pretty sure not even Beckett knew what was the true meaning behind this play, because it can mean a lot of things in different times, maybe that's what he did.

[@dramaaaltadros2941]

Thank you for your extremely amazing videos and book recommendations. Keep making videos about such amazing unpopular books.

[@femibabatunde4553]

Samuel Beckett: what do we do now, now that we are happy? Me: we wait, life has a way of making us sad all over again

[@j.pendergrass9805]

It’s like waiting for a raise

[@autumnisbetterthanspring]

After cutting my veins waiting for' Body to run out of blood Oh..oh...not today' baby heaven can wait

[@TheLifeFormulaa]

Interesting stuff!

[@jumping438]

I'm waiting to read this book.

[@thesoulofthehero468]

Ted, could you make a lesson about italian literature? One of the most influent literatures of the history of world, with authors such as Ludovico ariosto, dante, petrarca, boccaccio, Foscolo, marini, boiardo, macchiavelli, leopardi, pirandello, and many more! From middle ages to our time, italian literature is equal to english literature, and sometimes( and i say sometimes) better

[@jacobwatson9027]

Do “Why you should read the Little Prince”!

[@khyatirawat602]

Hello there ! I have that one in my course. But with corona there are no classes. I would like to know what are your reasons for suggesting it to someone?

[@youisstupid2586]

Khyati Rawat it’s a classic, that’s a good reason enough.

[@LenaVoices]

Normally I'm really good with older books and plays, but Godot challenged me when I read it last year for uni. I honestly understood it better watching it performed. That made it work better.

[@two-face1041]

Not that I wouldn’t read this but as a theater person I’d much rather watch it on stage

[@anamanaguchiv8035]

Two-Face If you’re an actual theater person you’d read it and watch the play.

[@NotOnQ]

If you were a true scotsman, you would read, watch, and perform the play.

[@two-face1041]

Anamanaguchi V I’d maybe read it after I see it

[@two-face1041]

Q Bical well I am not Scottish

[@NotOnQ]

I was just alluding to a fallacy that Anamanaguchi had used, it was meant to be facetious

[@MochiHTX]

Yes I believe it was Hamlet, but Shakespeare uses a similar style during the coin flipping scene. But the coin continued to land heads no matter what. I cannot remember exactly the how the scene went and the reasoning behind it(it’s been 2 years since I’ve done a report on it) but Waiting For Godot was an example I used in this setting of characters with no purpose despite still setting a plot

[@ochentaycincoalbricias]

Gonna be lots of references to Ace Atorney.

[@vibecheck2132]

eurehl5238 aLREADY MADE ONE YES

[@Ssure2]

References with a fragance of dark-coloured coffee, that is!

[@sid98geek]

I just opened the video for the references.

[@aspiringcloudexpert5127]

I will definitely read this play. It sounds very interesting. Also, the narrator of this video does a really, really good job. Hope he can do more of these!

[@fitnfab6522]

I read this in my playwright class. We analyzed it, and of course not everyone liked it because it was a slow paced play. But, that's the point. I loved this play bc it is truth to our every day living. We wait, we live, we must be patient. What is this life....and not everyone will understand this play bc depending on your life experiences, this written play will either resonate with you or not. But at some point in life, as you been waiting or figuring your life out, this play will make more sense as you were waiting 😊

[@Hallows4]

Question: What’s the etymology behind the name Estragon? I don’t recall ever hearing it outside of this play, yet Vladimir is a name you hear all over the place. If we’re talking interpretation and symbolism, why did Beckett choose that name?

[@moonlightboiii]

Please do an Albert Camus one! Edit: or anything more about the absurd or the Myth of Sisyphus

[@givemeshelter.]

Jonas Regencia Absolutely! I love The Stranger ever since high school 1000 years ago. Funny since the book isn't at all that old.

[@drayefsarra2881]

i read that book nd just waw what about the stranger !!

[@humavocado5614]

For somereason procrastinating in holiday remind me of the this ted ed video. Hit hard Literally my only two brain cells left doing circular conversation Frfr 😂

[@wahhajmustafa1907]

Still waiting for the Trials and Tribulations anime

[@abandoned7501]

still waiting for konosuba 3

[@WhiteOutFanYT]

I’m waiting for Dragonball’s new movie

[@shogun2215]

Thought it might be worth mentioning, Beckett absolutely refused to let women to play the parts of Vladimir and Estragon, and Becketts' family still will not allow any official performance with female leads.

[@uneedtherapy42]

I'm still waiting for Gal Gadot but I don't think she's coming

[@Robert-yc9ql]

My favorite interpretation of this is that it is an allegory of world religions and the absurdity of those forever stuck "waiting" for their promised messiah/prophet/paradise.

[@oydeekoi8271]

It’s just like Seinfeld’d pilot.

[@Rose-tp9qc]

Does anyone know a good recording of a performance of this play? I don't love reading plays, but this sounds very interesting!

[@just-a-silly-goofy-guy]

Why did I see groot in the title?

[@RichMitch]

My favourite version is with Max Wall as Vladimir and Leo Mckern as Estragon from 1977. Highly recommend it to you

[@prathamkushwaha7536]

Can anyone please explain me the meaning of the quote which was shown in the very beginning of the video? 😕😕

[@Diana8Matienzo]

It is a quote from the book. For its entirety, this is what they do. Say the should go, yet not move

[@dmtdreamz7706]

My first impression was a very strong one,’ repeated  the prince. ‘When they took me away from Russia, I  remember I passed through many German towns and  looked out of the windows, but did not trouble so much  as to ask questions about them. This was after a long series  of fits. I always used to fall into a sort of torpid condition  after such a series, and lost my memory almost entirely;  and though I was not altogether without reason at such  times, yet I had no logical power of thought. This would  continue for three or four days, and then I would recover  myself again. I remember my melancholy was intolerable;  I felt inclined to cry; I sat and wondered and wondered  uncomfortably; the consciousness that everything was  strange weighed terribly upon me; I could understand that  it was all foreign and strange. I recollect I awoke from this  state for the first time at Basle, one evening; the bray of a  donkey aroused me, a donkey in the town market. I saw  the donkey and was extremely pleased with it, and from  that moment my head seemed to clear.’  ‘A donkey? How strange! Yet it is not strange. Anyone  of us might fall in love with a donkey! It happened in mythological times,’ said Madame Epanchin, looking  wrathfully at her daughters, who had begun to laugh. ‘Go  on, prince.’  ‘Since that evening I have been specially fond of  donkeys. I began to ask questions about them, for I had  never seen one before; and I at once came to the  conclusion that this must be one of the most useful of  animals-strong, willing, patient, cheap; and, thanks to  this donkey, I began to like the whole country I was  travelling through; and my melancholy passed away.’¹

[@MarkIsAsleep]

I thought this was the game engine

[@TheloniousCube]

Hats off to you! A great, concise video on one of the 20th century's masterworks!