Beckett's Waiting For Godot can be analyzed as a fantastic religious, spiritual, and philosophical allegory about man's futile search for a direct connection to God. As the two main characters in the play, Vladimir and Estragon, wait for Godot, some have argued they are essentially waiting for God. They are desperate folks who depend on something greater than themselves to survive and find existential meaning. Having asked for Godot for "a kind of prayer," the two men don't seem to fully understand why they are actually waiting for Godot.
Waiting For Godot is similarly filled with religious images and allusions. The characters frequently discuss components of Christianity, often citing particular passages or stories from the Bible. At one point, Vladimir asks Estragon if he has ever read the bible. Estragon replies, "I must have looked at it" and quickly describes a colored map of the Holy Land, paying particular attention to the Dead Sea. Here, Estragon obviously missed most of the bulk of the Bible, focusing rather on swimming in the Dead Sea and acquiring happiness.
At another point, Vladimir tells Estragon of a story in which four Evangelists disagree as to whether or not a pair of thieves were damned or saved. Only one of the Evangelists suggests the thieves were saved, while two others refrain from mentioning the thieves as a whole.
These references, along with many uses of religious imagery, such as the word "crucify" when talking about Pozzo, appear in addition to much talk about Christ-like suffering.
Godot can be seen as the God of Christianity. In the play, Godot is a figure of redemption and salvation for Vladimir and Estragon.
In act 2, a young messenger’s description of Godot relates to John’s vision in Revelations. His mention of sheep and goats refers to a passage in the Book of Matthew.
Estragon compares himself to Jesus Christ when talking about his own suffering.
Lucky and Pozzo are called Cain and Abel.
The desire to be hung from a tree points to crucifixion. Vladimir also speaks about the two thieves who were crucified with Jesus. One of them was saved by his belief, suggesting that there is hope for the criminal and downtrodden.
Vladimir and Estragon both symbolize the brokenness of man’s relationship with God. The fact that they are tramps further shows that man is helpless and in need of something greater than himself.
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