Waiting for the Unknown A Study in Beckett's Waiting for Godot د. عبدالله عبدالرحمن بكير *

Abstract

Assoc. Prof. Abdulla A. Bukeir^*

*Dean: Faculty of Arts and Humanities

  Alandalus University 

Abstract :

This paper attempts to study Samuel Beckett’s play Waiting for Godot and specifically the theme of “Waiting for the Unknown”, since the play depends on the emblem “Nothing to be done” “Nothing is certain” and “nothing very definite”.

The play is overwhelmed by an atmosphere of obscurity and mystery. Nothing is known about this Godot whom the two tramps, Estragon and Vladimir, are waiting for. However, they have no alternative but to wait. In this case, we are in front of a situation of “Waiting for the Unknown”.

This absurdity of waiting is based on the concept of futility, which is an essential element in the philosophy of Existentialism and the drama of absurdity.

The paper comes to conclusion that the meaninglessness and purposelessness of man’s existence in this universe, that the philosophy of Existentialism tries to convey to humanity, is not logical.

Man’s life and existence in this universe is meaningful and purposeful, if man is committed to heavenly religion. Not all the answers of man’s meaningful existence could be found in humankind scientific theories and laboratories. There are many questions which are not easy to be approached through our five human senses; but by going back to heavenly religion and through deep contemplation in this universe and its Creator and in the causes behind man’s existence on this planet

Key Words:

Absurdity, Existentialism, Futility, Materialism and Spirituality