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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 Pozzo asks Estragon what his name is, what name does Estragon give?

2. In Act I, when Vladimer and Estragon first encounter Pozzo and Lucky, Vladimir moves towards Lucky, but Pozzo says Lucky is

3. Act I starts with a meandering conversation between the two main characters who talk about a variety of subjects. They do NOT talk about

4. When Vladimir talks about leaving, Pozzo asks him what will happen to his appointment with Godot because he believes Godot

5. When Pozzo wants to sit down toward the end of Act I but needs help. He asks Estragon to

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Lucky makes a speech. What does he tell Estragon, Vladimir, and Pozzo?

3. Vladimir asks the boy if Mr. Godot has a beard and what color it is. How does the boy respond?

4. When Pozzo reveals he is blind and is afraid because he can't see, who does he think Estragon and Vladimir might be?

5. What happens to the bones after Pozzo has finished eating?

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

7. Vladimir asks Estragon if he has ever read the Bible. What does Estragon tell him?

8. When Estragon complains about Lucky's response to his attempted kindness, Pozzo reminds him about what?

9. Estragon and Vladimir have a second conversation about radishes and carrots. How does the conversation differ from the one in Act I and why might Beckett includes this second conversation?

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

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 Beckett created the characters of Pozzo and Lucky the way he did? Do you feel that other characters would have worked better? For instance, Pozzo and Lucky are just as locked in their lives and unable to change as Estragon and Vladimir. Would characters who were happy, contented, and successful made Beckett's message stronger because of the contrast? Why do you feel the way you do?

Essay Topic 3

Why are Estragon and Vladimir waiting for Godot? What do you think they want? Why do you think they keep waiting? Imagine you have come across Estragon and Vladimir who have told you they are waiting for Godot. Based on what you know after reading the play, would you wait? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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