Samuel Beckett's play Waiting for Godot is a play that has provoked varying thoughts since it was first written. The characters are trapped in their own hopeless destiny and the story focuses on two of them; Vladimir and Estragon, who are waiting for an end that never seems to come. The opening of the play provides an insight into this as we hear them agree that they have nothing to do. The spectator is shown through this that the play will be about emptiness and soul-searching.
Estragon opens the play by remarking that there is "nothing to be done". This sets the mood for the play, making everything seem hopeless. At least Estragon and Vladimir think that there is nothing in their lives to do. This starts the characters on a search to find something to do, they try and entertain each other through whatever means; by just talking, verbally abusing each other or imitating others, so that they do not have to concentrate on how little is happening in their lives.
"Indeed the first words of Waiting for Godot, Estragon's famous line, "nothing to be done", regarding his hopelessly uncomfortable shoes, summarizes the action-or lack thereof-of the entire play". .
We already see from this first line that Estragon and Vladimir have already given up on life and believe that there is nothing left to lice for. The only reason they continue to wait each day is the hope that Godot might bring. To them Godot is a saviour, some kind of answer to their prayers. We are not told what they expect from Godot, we only know that he is the only reason they continue their daily struggle.
" In Waiting for Godot there is no possibility of achieving a meaningful existence through the present situation, for the present situation seems to have been going on since time immemorial and is defined only with respect to a future-the arrival of Godot-that will never materialize". .
They only live through the present situation because they know no other way out and think that Godot is the only way out.