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

Short Answer Questions

1. In Act II, Estragon and Vladimir talk aimlessly for awhile and have a hard time keeping up the conversation. Vladimir begs Estragon to speak. Finally, Estragon asks what they should do now, and Vladimir tells him they should

2. When Estragon wakes up in Act II, disoriented by a nightmare, Vladimir

3. After he wakes up from his nightmare, Estragon gets irritated because Vladimir won't stop

4. Finally, toward the end of the play, Vladimir tells Estragon they will hang themselves tomorrow unless

5. At the end of Act I, Estragon says he is unhappy. Vladimir asks him since when. Estragon tells him he

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Why are Estragon and Vladimir waiting for Godot? What do you think they want? Why do you think they keep waiting? Imagine you have come across Estragon and Vladimir who have told you they are waiting for Godot. Based on what you know after reading the play, would you wait? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Did you find any of the dialogue funny? Did anything that happened or was said make you laugh? If so, how do you feel Beckett used humor to make his point? Include examples of dialogue you found humorous.

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