Estragon’s character in Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot

Waiting for Godot

Samuel Beckett

Estragon’s character in Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot

Answer: From the very beginning of the play, Waiting for Godot, we find that Estragon is thinking along with his partner, Vladimir, and continuously do waiting for an unknown Godot. He doesn't care what's going on around him. However, the most obvious features of Estragon in the play come from his intelligence from his behavior or appearance. In the play he is in regular anxiety and doubt. He wants to leave Vladimir, but never does. He questions Godot's existence, but waits for him at Vladimir's request. He is what we can call a Simpleton.

Socially, Estragon represents the ordinary oppressed citizen who does not question or fight the current situation: he just lets everything happens even after he is beaten or talked to. In contrast to Lucky, who has no choice, Estragon could very well change his life if only he were not so dependent on Vladimir.

Estragon is primarily concerned with more mundane matters. He likes a carrot radish or turnip, his leg hurts and he blames the boot. He wants to leave constantly, and it should be put into the fact that he has to wait for Godot. He remembers that he was beaten, but he did not see any philosophical significance in the beating. He is willing to beg for money from strangers (Pozzo) and he eats chicken bones thrown by Pozzo without shame.

Estragon was more basic then. He is not concerned with anything religious or philosophical. First, he has not even heard of the two thieves who were crucified with Christ, and if the Gospels do not agree with that. The original nature of Estragon is depicted in the Second Act when he shows so little interest in Pozzo and Lucky that he falls asleep; also, he sleeps through the whole scene between Vladimir and Boy Messenger. He is not only concerned with such issues.

Estragon, however, is dependent on Vladimir and basically he does what Vladimir tells him to do. For example, Vladimir takes care of Estragon's boots, he pulls out carrots, turnips and radishes, he soothes Estragon's pain, and he reminds Estragon of the need to wait for Godot. Estragon sometimes suggests that it is better if they separate, but he never leaves Vladimir for long. Basically, Estrogen is less intelligent; He has to explain everything to her and she is basically so disturbed by life that she has to have someone to take care of her.

Symbolically, Estrogen lives in oblivion. He is every person who does not control life and vice versa life allows him to control. He regrets that he should be a co-dependent person, a free man, floating and someone who does not live as in reality. He walks away with the flow and since he can’t control his own life, he worries about what “it” will be. Like the rest, he waits perfectly for Godot, and for no purpose. In conclusion, Estragon is the weak man between himself and Vladimir.

*****

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