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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. Vladimir looks for a note about when Godot is to come in

2. The two main characters in the play are waiting for

3. When Estragon tries to make Lucky feel better in the way Pozzo suggested, Lucky

4. Vladimir and Estragon talk about the crucifixion of Jesus and the different views of the four Evangelists who record that event. What is the topic that is described differently between the four Evangelists?

5. During the first act, Vladimir leaves the stage to go to the bathroom. When Vladimir returns, Estragon tries to start a conversation. He acknowledges that Vladimir is angry and wants the anger to go away. They end up

Short Essay Questions

1. 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.

2. Estragon and Vladimir keep discussing whether they should help Pozzo while Pozzo keeps repeating his pleas for help. Do Estragon and Vladimir finally agree to respond to Pozzo's requests for help? Why or why not?

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

4. What happens to the bones after Pozzo has finished eating?

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

6. When Pozzo wants to sit down in Act I, what does he ask Estragon to do?

7. How does Vladimir claim he would have stopped Estragon from being beaten by the ten men?

8. Lucky makes a speech. What does he tell Estragon, Vladimir, and Pozzo?

9. How does Estragon react in Act II when he decided to kick Lucky and ended up hurting his foot in the process?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How well do you think Beckett's play, "Waiting for Godot," would work as a radio play? Is it critical for the play to be seen, or is it powerful enough to carry Beckett's message with sound alone. Keep in mind Beckett's use of silence (stage directions showing delayed responses) and how that would work on the radio as well as the few things that Beckett does make use of like the tree, the moon, changes in lighting, the hats, Estragon's boots, etc.

Essay Topic 2

Beckett has very few stage directions. He makes a point of describing the rising of the moon. He could have simply relied on a darkening stage to show the coming of night, but he describes the role of the moon. Why might he have done that? How does it contribute to the feeling of the play at that point? How do the stage directions that Beckett did include contribute to the play? Cite specific examples.

Essay Topic 3

There is almost nothing on the stage with the actors. There are very few props. How do you think this contributes to the overall feeling of the play? Why do you think Beckett used a bare tree on the stage? Why do you think that in the second act it has a few leaves? What point was Beckett trying to make, and how do you think it contributed to his overall message?

(see the answer keys)

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