It is possible to recognize the prominent relationships between Beckett's characters through the majority of his works; be it dramatic works, prose or poetry. Throughout these forms he creates seemingly hopeless and impossible circumstances for his characters, this applies to all relationships not explicitly to marital ones. However, I feel that it is important to explore the hopelessness and futility that is initially presented by Beckett through his characters focusing solely on those whom according to society, should be in "love". To focus completely on the bond and lawful commitment will highlight specifically the 'love' in which I wish to examine within Beckett's work. It is important to have the presented relationships scrutinized to see the small glimmers of hope in which are inserted amidst the futility of love which we are initially faced with. .
In much of Beckett's work 'the characters of Beckett's theatre communicate the impossibility of seeing what they long to see'1, presenting us with the idea that there is very little hope for the characters due to the position they have been placed into by Beckett. Beckett provides his characters with the view of what they want, in this case, the relationships, but this makes it all the more cruel, and seemingly impossible, within an impossible situation. It could be seen that 'Beckett concedes that his narratives cannot avoid this futility'2 and the relationships are there to present the awareness of that, even if the characters themselves are not. For example in waiting for Godot, Vladimir and Estragon 'hope to pursue a relatively peaceful and predictable coexistence that distracts them from despair over the human condition.'3 To fully acknowledge my questions I will be focusing and examining in close detail the marital relationships presented through the couples worlds, created by Beckett, and the minimal interactions they have between one another, in hope to unpick the futility and impossibility whilst attempting to find some hope that could be amidst the futile lives Beckett's characters lead.
