Question

Where did Estragon spend the previous night, as mentioned in "Waiting for Godot"?

• A. In a bed
• B. In a ditch
• C. At an inn
• D. With Godot

Answer 1

Answer:

B. In a ditch

Explanation of Estragon's Previous Night in "Waiting for Godot"

• Estragon, also known as Gogo, frequently mentions his impoverished and suffering existence throughout Samuel Beckett's play, "Waiting for Godot".
• His disclosure of spending the previous night "in a ditch" highlights the characters' profound destitution, homelessness, and the harsh realities of their transient lives.
• This detail immediately establishes a sense of misery and the lack of basic human comforts, underscoring the bleakness of their situation.
• It is a recurring motif that emphasizes the cyclical nature of their suffering and their constant struggle for survival.

Key Facts about "Waiting for Godot" for Competitive Exams:

• Author: The play was written by the Irish playwright, novelist, and poet Samuel Beckett.
• Genre: It is a quintessential example of 'Theatre of the Absurd', characterized by its exploration of the meaninglessness of human existence.
• Original Language: Beckett originally wrote the play in French, titled "En attendant Godot" (published 1952, first performed 1953), and later translated it into English himself.
• Nobel Prize: Samuel Beckett was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1969 for his unique and impactful contributions to modern literature.
• Main Characters: The two central characters are Vladimir (Didi) and Estragon (Gogo), who spend the entire play waiting for a mysterious figure named Godot.
• Themes: Key themes include existentialism, the absurdity of life, the nature of time, suffering, hope, despair, memory loss, and the futility of human endeavor.
• Setting: The play is set on a country road with a single tree, emphasizing its barren and timeless quality.
• Significance of the ditch: Estragon's recurring mention of sleeping in ditches, or being beaten up, signifies his vulnerability, the harshness of their environment, and the degradation they endure. It symbolizes their rock-bottom existence.