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Emily Schooley, Between mirth and melancholy: The development of tragicomedy Tragicomedy, Helium: Where Knowledge
Rules, May 08, 2007, Feb 02, 2007 <http://www.helium.com/items/146524-between-mirth-and-melancholy-the-development-oftragicomedy>
2
Beckett, 5
Lit 14
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Vladimir then explains that, It's for the kidneys.3 Later in the play, when
Vladimir asks Estragon about his boots and Estragon about Vladimir's
kidneys, they both exclaim, Hurts, he wants to know if it hurts!4 This means
that so far, and there is no indication of otherwise, the two characters are
and will be in pain.
Most of the comedic actions are where the plot gets most serious. For
example, Estragon suggests they hang themselves. Vladimir replies that that
would give them an erection. The plot is very serious wherein they are
speaking of ending their lives, however the comedy comes when Vladimir
actually considers the fact of having an erection. They also argue on who
goes first and who is heavier. Tragedy usually arouses a sense of pity and
fear, in this case the suicide of the main charactes. This is nullified through
the comedic actions and words of Vladimir and Estragon.
The two characters can be known as comic individuals where they are
the victims of deception. Absurdity is usually associated with a comic
individual of a comedy. A Comedic Situation is a situation wherein the comic
individual, or the main characters have little or no control of the situation. It
is seen in the play when they are restricted from leaving because they are,
waiting for godot. Although it is known that the two can just come and go
as they please, what is restraining them is themselves and each other. They
are holding each other back and their obliviousness is what they cannot
control. Therefore the play has a comedic situation. The deception is also
seen in their actual waiting for Godot. They do now actually know Godot, and
yet they are decieved to wait for him.
Through the play putting lightly otherwise grave situations and in fact
containing a comedic situation, Waiting for Godot is a tragicomedy. Comedy
associates itself with absurdity through the aimlessness of the situation.
Tragedy assicociates itself with pity, fear, and even hopelessness. In the lines
mentioned, both elements were visible. In the play Waiting for Godot,
aimlessness and hopelessness mingle with each other to create the absurdity
in the play.
References:
3
Beckett
Beckett, 2
Lit 14
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