" Vladimir then retorts, "Christ! What has Christ got to do with it. You're not going to compare yourself to Christ!" Estrogen then says, "All my life I've compared myself to him." When Vladimir states that where Jesus lived it was warm and dry and therefore suitable for barefoot walking, Estragon concurs and says, "Yes, and they crucified quick."
Vladirmir also insinuates that Godot has a Christ-like role in his life. When Estragon asks, "And if he comes?" Vladimir replies, "We'll be saved,' (Act II). Moreover, Pozzo is referred to as both Cain and Abel in Act II. The contraction of embodying both Cain and Abel symbolizes self-annihilation because Cain killed Abel. Further death imagery includes the frequent references to twilight, the setting sun, and the end of the day such as when Vladimir says, "Don't be a fool, it's the west over there...it is not for nothing I have lived through this long day and I can assure you it is very near the end of its repertory," (Act II).
Estragon's attraction towards hanging himself from the tree and his longing for escape signify a death-wish. The two men are biding their time waiting for death to overtake them. Even more so than Vladimir, Estragon does not understand why they are waiting for Godot when they could simply end their lives voluntarily. It is Estragon who continually forgets what they are doing by the tree. He repeatedly asks Vladimir if they can leave. However, Vladimir seems convinced that waiting for Godot will bring them some kind of fulfillment. He finds practical reasons to dissuade Estragon from committing suicide even though the imagined fulfillment of Godot never arrives. Godot is nothing but what Vladimir and Estragon believe him to be. Vladimir and Estragon project their ideas onto Godot, but neither has met him.
The only character in the play...
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