Академический Документы
Профессиональный Документы
Культура Документы
The pessimism of the play allows Beckett to explore certain themes that are often ignored by
optimistic philosophies. In particular, Beckett considers the fact that life is a horrible task to
be endured; these statements would not be possible if he took a different attitude toward the
material.
Hamm and Clov do not want their lives to have a meaning. Their suffering is so great that
they think it would be better if everything was purposeless and given up to chance. They
cannot conceive of a great 'plan' that would justify their suffering, and so meaninglessness
becomes a sort of relief.
Notice how Hamm measures growth by decay, by what is lost. Is this a general commentary
on the way that human beings change or is it peculiar to Hamm and Clov's situation?
Quote #3
HAMM
In the morning they brace you up and in the evening they calm you down. Unless it's the other way
round.
(Pause.)
That old doctor, he's dead naturally? (1.250)
What do you make of the fact that Hamm begins by making a sweepingly general statement
about life and then moves to thinking about a particular doctor? What is the relationship
between the universal and the particular in the play?
Quote #4
HAMM
What's happening?
CLOV
Something is taking its course. (1.339-340)
Clov repeats these lines several times in the play. Does this view of life leave any
room for individual agency or control? Is it a completely fatalistic view? Is it a
philosophy of Clov's or is it simply borne of his despair?
Quote #5
HAMM
We're not beginning totomean something?
CLOV
Mean something! You and I, mean something!
(Brief laugh.)
Ah that's a good one!
HAMM
I wonder.
(Pause.)
Imagine if a rational being came back to earth, wouldn't he be liable to get ideas into his head if he
observed us long enough. (1.343-345)
Do you think that Hamm is hoping that they mean something or is this some sort of
odd threat? What view of life would it take for someone to wish that his or her life
had no meaning? What state would the world have to be in?
HW> Find out at least two more quotes on this theme in Endgame, and formulate a reflection or
question for your classmates as in the examples.