View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Vladimir asks Estragon why he keeps coming back to spend time with Vladimir if he is not happy. Estragon tells him

2. In Act II, Estragon and Vladimir discuss how to handle Pozzo, but they are concerned because

3. When Estragon comments that his boots are too big in Act II, Vladimir tells him that perhaps, someday, he will

4. The boy tells Vladimir that he has a brother who also works for Godot and minds the

5. Who does the boy ask for in Act 1?

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

Samuel Beckett's play, "Waiting for Godot," is considered part of the Theater of the Absurd. Theater of the Absurd writers joined existential (relating to existence) philosophy with dramatic action and characters to show how "absurd" life could be. Find at least three examples of absurd actions or dialogue, describe the examples, and explain why you think they show the absurdity of life.

Essay Topic 3

Why do you think Beckett uses the character of the boy to bring word from Godot? Does this "prove" Godot exists? Is the boy real or part of a delusion shared by Estragon and Vladimir? After all, Estragon, especially, questions the accuracy of his memory.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 349 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample