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Wednesday 12 April 2017
"Waiting for Godot" Explained with Philosophy | Philosophy Tube
Theater of the Absurd" — a title which comes not from a dictionary definition of the word "absurd," but rather from Martin Esslin's book The Theatre of the Absurd, in which he maintains that these dramatists write from a "sense of metaphysical anguish at the absurdity of the human condition." But other writers such as Kafka, Camus, and Sartre have also argued from the same philosophical position. The essential difference is that critics like Camus have presented their arguments in a highly formal discourse with logical and precise views which prove their theses within the framework of traditional forms. On the contrary, the Theater of the Absurd seeks to wed form and content into an indissoluble whole in order to gain a further unity of meaning and impact. In Waiting for Godot, two derelicts are seen conversing in a repetitive, strangely fragmented dialogue that possesses an illusory, haunting effect, while they are waiting for Godot, a vague, never-defined being who will bring them some communication about — what? Salvation? Death? An impetus for living? A reason for dying? No one knows, and the safest thing to say is that the two are probably waiting for someone or something which will give them an impetus to continue living or, at least, something which will give meaning and direction to their lives.
The combination of philosopher, creative artist and resistance fighter is common to both Camus and Beckett. The social, historical and political context to the emergence of this play is fascinating. This video gives an insight on why Beckett wrote the play. The parallels drawn between Godot and the Myth of Sisyphus are quite startling. This video is great preparation before reading the play.
In this video, I find the parallel created between Camus's The Myth Of Sisyphus and Beckett's Waiting For Godot to be a fascinating way of looking at both texts. The themes of Absurdism which run through both these texts perhaps allow us to look at them as works of Philosophy before we acknowledge them as works of literature. Absurdism refers to the conflict between the human tendency to seek value and meaning in life and the meaninglessness of life and the universe. Camus believes that once this contradiction has been confronted there are seven possible responses. However what i find particularly interesting about this theory is that most people may never reach the stage where they thoroughly understand this contradiction due to the alternate beliefs that were left behind by the theories of essentialism which stand in complete contrast to Absurdism. Essentialism is the view that every entity has a set of attributes that are necessary to its identity and function while Absurdism believes in the utter lack of a predisposed inbred essence.
The video centrally constructs an idea of Samuel Beckett’s play ‘Waiting for Godot’ as a combination of philosophy and social development. The parallelism between ‘Waiting for Godot’ and Camus’ ‘The Myth of the Sisyphus’ invokes how every individual is driven to find some meaning and purpose in their life. “Absurdism” is a work expressed by the belief that, in a godless universe, human existence has no meaning or purpose and therefore all communication breaks down. The theme of uncertainty and the inability in the modern age to find a coherent system of meaning, order and purpose to understand our existence is captured in ‘Waiting for Godot’. This video interestingly made me realise how literature is not just a subject, but it is a construct of life and reality. The philosophy interwoven with the human existence consists of an exploration of solutions and is driven by the pursuit of finding ‘answers’.Through this video, the speaker unfolds how every individual must appreciate their existence and must attempt to find meaning that makes life worth living.
This video competently introduces the audience to the 'Theatre of the Absurd'. Camus' 'The Myth of Sisyphus' shares this theme with Beckett's 'Waiting for Godot'. I found 'Absurdism' to be a hugely interesting philosophy, and one that I agreed with. It prompted me to think - what if the meaning of life is to find that life has no meaning? The speaker's introduction to Absurdism and 'Waiting for Godot' has enabled me to appreciate the relevance of the play in modern society.
This video essentially captures the crux of Samuel Beckett’s play, Waiting for Godot. Through the comparison of the play with Camus’ work, The Myth of Sisyphus, the theme of acceptance is evidently portrayed. This theme, woven through the work of both these great creative artists, depicts the purposelessness of life. While some may seek meaning in the meaningless, the real brave souls are the ones who accept and live on. The aethist view of this statement could be that people create narratives, or gods, which in their minds transcend reality to fill this void and attempt to satisfy their needs. Absurdism, as explained by Camus, discusses exactly this. Individuals should embrace the absurd and chaotic condition of human existence while also defiantly continuing to explore and search for meaning. However, this itself is paradoxical as while the myth is systematically skeptical of conclusions about the meaning of life, it asserts objectively valid answers to key questions about how to live.
In this video, the idea of absurdism is highlighted. This topic is a running theme in Samuel Beckett's novel, Waiting for Godot. It's easy to highlight the absurdity of the human quest for purpose. It's common to assume that everything must have a purpose, a higher reason for existence. However, if one thing has a higher purpose, what is the reason for that purpose? Each new height must then be validated by a higher one. These parallels are drawn as theme in Waiting for Godot and The Myth of Sisyphus and how the time period when the novel was written plays a major role.
The video is helpful in helping me understand the philosophical aspect of Waiting for Godot. We are introduced to the 'Theatre of the Absurd'. The theatre of the absurd focuses on a philosophy that came out of The myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus. The philosophy is that the human life is essentially absurd and devoid of purpose. The link between the myth of sisyphus and waiting for Godot helps us understand that just like Sisyphus, Vladimir and Estragon are in an endless task. As mentioned in the video, Camus recommends acceptance as a way of confronting the absurd. Simply accepting that life is pointless even though people are compelled to find a point anyway. This is an important idea to keep in mind while reading Waiting for Godot. This theme of acceptance is intertwined in both works of literature as the characters eventually learn that life has no purpose. Existentialism is the belief that through a combination of awareness, free will, and personal responsibility, one can construct their own meaning within a world that fundamentally has none of its own. Absurdism is the belief that a search for meaning is innately in conflict with the actual lack of meaning, but that one should both accept this and simultaneously rebel against it by embracing what life has to offer. Both philosophies are essential while reading Waiting for Godot and assist in grasping the play at a deeper level.
Through this video, I was able to understand the concept of The Absurd or "Absurdism" in literature. It also made me understand and view Waiting for Godot from a philosophical perspective. I also realised and understood that the character of Lucky was the only one who accepted his fate in the play and was the "Absurd" hero of the play. The parallels between Camus novel, "The Myth of Sisyphus” and “Waiting For Godot” by Samuel Beckett interested me.
In this video, the parallels drawn between Beckett’s ‘Waiting for Godot’ and Camus’ ‘Myth of Sisyphus,’ fascinated me. Both the constructs focus on absurdity of life. Absurdism is the condtradiction between human’s desire to find meaning in the universe and the meaningless universe, itself. This philosophy enhanced my understanding of Waiting for Godot as its characters confront the absurdity of life.
Theater of the Absurd" — a title which comes not from a dictionary definition of the word "absurd," but rather from Martin Esslin's book The Theatre of the Absurd, in which he maintains that these dramatists write from a "sense of metaphysical anguish at the absurdity of the human condition." But other writers such as Kafka, Camus, and Sartre have also argued from the same philosophical position. The essential difference is that critics like Camus have presented their arguments in a highly formal discourse with logical and precise views which prove their theses within the framework of traditional forms. On the contrary, the Theater of the Absurd seeks to wed form and content into an indissoluble whole in order to gain a further unity of meaning and impact.
ReplyDeleteIn Waiting for Godot, two derelicts are seen conversing in a repetitive, strangely fragmented dialogue that possesses an illusory, haunting effect, while they are waiting for Godot, a vague, never-defined being who will bring them some communication about — what? Salvation? Death? An impetus for living? A reason for dying? No one knows, and the safest thing to say is that the two are probably waiting for someone or something which will give them an impetus to continue living or, at least, something which will give meaning and direction to their lives.
The combination of philosopher, creative artist and resistance fighter is common to both Camus and Beckett. The social, historical and political context to the emergence of this play is fascinating. This video gives an insight on why Beckett wrote the play. The parallels drawn between Godot and the Myth of Sisyphus are quite startling. This video is great preparation before reading the play.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIn this video, I find the parallel created between Camus's The Myth Of Sisyphus and Beckett's Waiting For Godot to be a fascinating way of looking at both texts. The themes of Absurdism which run through both these texts perhaps allow us to look at them as works of Philosophy before we acknowledge them as works of literature. Absurdism refers to the conflict between the human tendency to seek value and meaning in life and the meaninglessness of life and the universe. Camus believes that once this contradiction has been confronted there are seven possible responses. However what i find particularly interesting about this theory is that most people may never reach the stage where they thoroughly understand this contradiction due to the alternate beliefs that were left behind by the theories of essentialism which stand in complete contrast to Absurdism. Essentialism is the view that every entity has a set of attributes that are necessary to its identity and function while Absurdism believes in the utter lack of a predisposed inbred essence.
ReplyDeleteThe video centrally constructs an idea of Samuel Beckett’s play ‘Waiting for Godot’ as a combination of philosophy and social development. The parallelism between ‘Waiting for Godot’ and Camus’ ‘The Myth of the Sisyphus’ invokes how every individual is driven to find some meaning and purpose in their life. “Absurdism” is a work expressed by the belief that, in a godless universe, human existence has no meaning or purpose and therefore all communication breaks down. The theme of uncertainty and the inability in the modern age to find a coherent system of meaning, order and purpose to understand our existence is captured in ‘Waiting for Godot’. This video interestingly made me realise how literature is not just a subject, but it is a construct of life and reality. The philosophy interwoven with the human existence consists of an exploration of solutions and is driven by the pursuit of finding ‘answers’.Through this video, the speaker unfolds how every individual must appreciate their existence and must attempt to find meaning that makes life worth living.
ReplyDeleteThis video competently introduces the audience to the 'Theatre of the Absurd'. Camus' 'The Myth of Sisyphus' shares this theme with Beckett's 'Waiting for Godot'. I found 'Absurdism' to be a hugely interesting philosophy, and one that I agreed with. It prompted me to think - what if the meaning of life is to find that life has no meaning? The speaker's introduction to Absurdism and 'Waiting for Godot' has enabled me to appreciate the relevance of the play in modern society.
ReplyDeleteThis video essentially captures the crux of Samuel Beckett’s play, Waiting for Godot. Through the comparison of the play with Camus’ work, The Myth of Sisyphus, the theme of acceptance is evidently portrayed. This theme, woven through the work of both these great creative artists, depicts the purposelessness of life. While some may seek meaning in the meaningless, the real brave souls are the ones who accept and live on. The aethist view of this statement could be that people create narratives, or gods, which in their minds transcend reality to fill this void and attempt to satisfy their needs. Absurdism, as explained by Camus, discusses exactly this. Individuals should embrace the absurd and chaotic condition of human existence while also defiantly continuing to explore and search for meaning. However, this itself is paradoxical as while the myth is systematically skeptical of conclusions about the meaning of life, it asserts objectively valid answers to key questions about how to live.
ReplyDeleteIn this video, the idea of absurdism is highlighted. This topic is a running theme in Samuel Beckett's novel, Waiting for Godot. It's easy to highlight the absurdity of the human quest for purpose. It's common to assume that everything must have a purpose, a higher reason for existence. However, if one thing has a higher purpose, what is the reason for that purpose? Each new height must then be validated by a higher one. These parallels are drawn as theme in Waiting for Godot and The Myth of Sisyphus and how the time period when the novel was written plays a major role.
ReplyDeleteThe video is helpful in helping me understand the philosophical aspect of Waiting for Godot. We are introduced to the 'Theatre of the Absurd'. The theatre of the absurd focuses on a philosophy that came out of The myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus. The philosophy is that the human life is essentially absurd and devoid of purpose. The link between the myth of sisyphus and waiting for Godot helps us understand that just like Sisyphus, Vladimir and Estragon are in an endless task. As mentioned in the video, Camus recommends acceptance as a way of confronting the absurd. Simply accepting that life is pointless even though people are compelled to find a point anyway. This is an important idea to keep in mind while reading Waiting for Godot. This theme of acceptance is intertwined in both works of literature as the characters eventually learn that life has no purpose.
ReplyDeleteExistentialism is the belief that through a combination of awareness, free will, and personal responsibility, one can construct their own meaning within a world that fundamentally has none of its own. Absurdism is the belief that a search for meaning is innately in conflict with the actual lack of meaning, but that one should both accept this and simultaneously rebel against it by embracing what life has to offer. Both philosophies are essential while reading Waiting for Godot and assist in grasping the play at a deeper level.
Through this video, I was able to understand the concept of The Absurd or "Absurdism" in literature. It also made me understand and view Waiting for Godot from a philosophical perspective. I also realised and understood that the character of Lucky was the only one who accepted his fate in the play and was the "Absurd" hero of the play. The parallels between Camus novel, "The Myth of Sisyphus” and “Waiting For Godot” by Samuel Beckett interested me.
ReplyDeleteIn this video, the parallels drawn between Beckett’s ‘Waiting for Godot’ and Camus’ ‘Myth of Sisyphus,’ fascinated me. Both the constructs focus on absurdity of life. Absurdism is the condtradiction between human’s desire to find meaning in the universe and the meaningless universe, itself. This philosophy enhanced my understanding of Waiting for Godot as its characters confront the absurdity of life.
ReplyDelete