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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. During their discussion about when Godot is supposed to come, Vladimir and Estragon are certain about

2. When Pozzo first introduces himself, he tells Estragon and Vladimir that they are

3. Responding to Pozzo's request for help sitting down, Estragon tells Pozzo that if he does not sit down, Pozzo will

4. Act I starts with a meandering conversation between the two main characters who talk about a variety of subjects. They do NOT talk about

5. When Estragon and Vladimir first see Pozzo and Lucky, they

Short Essay Questions

1. When Vladimir finds Estragon's boots in Act II, what does Estragon say about the boots?

2. Just before he finally leaves in Act I, what does Pozzo observe about leaving? What does he feel he needs to do to be able to leave?

3. After Estragon and Vladimir talk about the tree, Estragon falls asleep. He is abruptly awakened by Vladimir. When he tries to tell Vladimir about a dream he was having, Vladimir is adamant that he not talk about it. Why do you think Vladimir is so vehement in his reaction?

4. Of all the kind of trees there are, Beckett chose what kind of tree? Why do you think he chose that particular type of tree.

5. How does Estragon reply to Vladimir's statement that he can't go barefoot?

6. What does Estragon decide to do with his boots and why does Vladimir tell him he can't do that?

7. When Estragon complains about Lucky's response to his attempted kindness, Pozzo reminds him about what?

8. Vladimir asks Estragon if he has ever read the Bible. What does Estragon tell him?

9. What is different about the tree as the second act opens, and how does this contribute to the mood of the play?

10. Pozzo smokes a pipe after dinner. He tells Estragon and Vladimir that even though the second pipe is sweet, it is not as sweet as the first. Why might Pozzo believes the first pipe is sweeter, and why does Pozzo have the second pipe? What does this contribute to the mood of the play?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Both Vladimir and Estragon suffer from constant pain. Why may Beckett have given them each a chronic condition that constantly occupied their attention? Pozzo and Lucky also have pain in their lives although, in the first act, it is different from the chronic conditions suffered by Vladimir and Estragon. Then, in the second act, Pozzo is afflicted with a condition that causes him a different kind of pain. How does Beckett use pain as a theme running throughout the play? How does this theme contribute to Beckett's overall message?

Essay Topic 2

Twice, Estragon awakes from a dream. Both times, he tries to tell Vladimir about the dream, but Vladimir refuses to listen. Why do you feel that Vladimir doesn't want to hear Estragon's dreams? What do you think Beckett was trying to say about dreams, and how do you think this contributes to Beckett's story?

Essay Topic 3

Samuel Beckett's play, "Waiting for Godot," is considered part of the Theater of the Absurd. Theater of the Absurd writers joined existential (relating to existence) philosophy with dramatic action and characters to show how "absurd" life could be. Find at least three examples of absurd actions or dialogue, describe the examples, and explain why you think they show the absurdity of life.

(see the answer keys)

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