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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. When Estragon complains that he will never walk again, Vladimir tells Estragon that, if necessary, he will

2. After Pozzo has finished eating, Estragon asks him

3. The main characters call each other

4. Responding to Pozzo's request for help sitting down, Estragon tells Pozzo that if he does not sit down, Pozzo will

5. After Lucky reacts to Estragon's attempt to make him feel better, Estragon then reacts by

Short Essay Questions

1. Before the boy leaves at the end of Act II, what does Vladimir ask him to do?

2. Estragon is closely associated with a particular prop. What is that prop? Why do you think Beckett chose that prop and what does it contribute to the play?

3. What does Pozzo tell Estragon and Vladimir about tears and laughter?

4. When Vladimir wakes Estragon up in Act II and he finds Lucky's hat, what does Vladimir suggests they do to pass the time?

5. How does Vladimir claim he would have stopped Estragon from being beaten by the ten men?

6. Estragon and Vladimir can't seem to figure out who Pozzo and Lucky really are in Act II. In their confusion, they call them two names that are related. What are those names, and how do these names give some additional depth to the relationship between Pozzo and Lucky?

7. What does Estragon do to Lucky later in Act I to get revenge for what Lucky did to him earlier?

8. Pozzo wants to rouse Lucky and suggests that someone go and kick him to get his attention. Estragon is reluctant to approach him because the last time he did, Lucky kicked him. What does Vladimir tell Estragon?

9. Estragon and Vladimir keep discussing whether they should help Pozzo while Pozzo keeps repeating his pleas for help. Do Estragon and Vladimir finally agree to respond to Pozzo's requests for help? Why or why not?

10. After Estragon and Vladimir help Pozzo get up in Act II, Pozzo asks them if they are his friends. How do Estragon and Vladimir respond?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Beckett has very few stage directions. He makes a point of describing the rising of the moon. He could have simply relied on a darkening stage to show the coming of night, but he describes the role of the moon. Why might he have done that? How does it contribute to the feeling of the play at that point? How do the stage directions that Beckett did include contribute to the play? Cite specific examples.

Essay Topic 2

Why do you think that Beckett had each character wear a hat (bowler)? Was this effective in portraying a message or carrying a theme? Why or why not? How else does Beckett use clothing, like Estragon's boots, to provide depth to his characters and the play's message?

Essay Topic 3

Did you find any of the dialogue funny? Did anything that happened or was said make you laugh? If so, how do you feel Beckett used humor to make his point? Include examples of dialogue you found humorous.

(see the answer keys)

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