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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. Vladimir looks for a note about when Godot is to come in

2. When Pozzo tells Estragon and Vladimir they are trespassing, they reply that

3. During the course of the play, Estragon and Vladimir encounter two people who are traveling together, Pozzo and Lucky. It is clear that

4. What is the fundamental relationship between Pozzo and Lucky?

5. According to the play's notes, the action begins

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

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

3. When Pozzo and Lucky come across Estragon and Vladimir on the second day, what has changed, and what has stayed the same?

4. Just before he finally leaves in Act I, what does Pozzo observe about leaving? What does he feel he needs to do to be able to leave?

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

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

7. After Pozzo leaves in Act I, a boy enters the stage with information for Estragon and Vladimir. Vladimir asks the boy if he is the same boy who came yesterday. What does the boy tell them, and what is his explanation for being late?

8. 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?

9. What is different about the tree as the second act opens, and how does this contribute to the mood of the play?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Twice, Estragon awakes from a dream. Both times, he tries to tell Vladimir about the dream, but Vladimir refuses to listen. Why do you feel that Vladimir doesn't want to hear Estragon's dreams? What do you think Beckett was trying to say about dreams, and how do you think this contributes to Beckett's story?

Essay Topic 2

Does Godot exist? Why do you feel the way you do? Is there any supporting evidence in the play? If you feel that Godot does exist, is Godot God? Why do you feel the way you do?

Essay Topic 3

How well do you think Beckett's play, "Waiting for Godot," would work as a radio play? Is it critical for the play to be seen, or is it powerful enough to carry Beckett's message with sound alone. Keep in mind Beckett's use of silence (stage directions showing delayed responses) and how that would work on the radio as well as the few things that Beckett does make use of like the tree, the moon, changes in lighting, the hats, Estragon's boots, etc.

(see the answer keys)

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