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1-Page Summary of Waiting For Godot
Overall Summary
Two men wait by a tree, hoping to meet Godot. One of them struggles with his boot while the other reads from the Bible. The man reading says that two thieves were crucified along with Jesus and one was saved; however, he wonders if this is true. He asks if his friend has ever read the Bible and he replies that all he remembers are some maps of Palestine in color. The first man tells him about how they waited for Godot so long ago, but still haven’t seen him yet. They wonder where they are supposed to be and when will Godot come today? The second man falls asleep and the first wakes him up because he misses having someone else around; however, when the second starts describing a dream to his friend, he angrily stops him from sharing it as it is clearly just a nightmare.
Vladimir and Estragon are waiting for Godot. They don’t know what to do while they’re waiting, so Estragon suggests that they hang themselves on a tree. Vladimir doesn’t want to go first, though, so he says that they should wait for Godot instead. While they’re waiting, Estragon is hungry and asks if there’s anything in Vladimir’s pockets. He finds turnips but no carrots until he finally finds one at the bottom of his pocket. When he hands it over to Estragon, the two hear someone scream off-stage.
Pozzo and Lucky enter. Pozzo drives Lucky forward with a whip like a pack animal, with a rope tied around his neck. Lucky is forced to carry Pozzo’s things. Estragon asks if this is Godot, but then Pozzo introduces himself. He jerks the rope that is around Lucky’s neck and calls him “pig.” Lucky brings him his stool and some food. Pozzo eats some chicken and Estragon begs him for the leftover bones. Pozzo gives him the bones. Vladimir wants to leave because of how badly he treats Lucky, but Pozzo says they must stay in case Godot shows up (and also so they can eat). Estragon wonders why he doesn’t put down his bags; maybe it would be better if he did since he has them anyway? But no—Pozzo says that since he has them already, maybe it was something lucky wanted to do or impress someone else by doing it (Pozzi), so therefore he must have chosen to do it on purpose because there are plenty of people who will treat you worse than what happens here at least! So basically instead of helping yourself out when you’re given an opportunity or chance for help, just give up immediately without even trying! I mean really…if someone gave me a handkerchief while I’m crying over being mistreated by my master/slave-owner who forces me into slavery against my own free will…I think I’d use that handkerchief as a weapon against my oppressor rather than actually wipe away any tears from my face after all these years of suffering under their control….
Pozzo begins to cry because he can’t stand the situation. Vladimir scolds Lucky for making his master cry, and Pozzo collects himself. He looks for his pipe and asks if there’s anything they can do for him since they’ve been nice to him. He offers to make Lucky dance or sing or think about something so that they will be entertained. Then Pozzo is going to leave but doesn’t move from where he stands.
Pozzo and Lucky eventually leave, but Estragon wants to go as well. Vladimir tells him that they have to stay there because Godot is coming tomorrow. A boy comes on stage with a message from Godot. He says that he’s minding the goats for Godot, who owns the boy and many others in his village. The boy leaves, and Estragon and Vladimir are ready to leave too, but they don’t move at all after saying so.
The next day, Vladimir and Estragon are waiting for Godot. Estragon tells Vladimir that he was beaten the night before, but doesn’t remember why or by whom. He also forgets who Pozzo and Lucky are, as well as where they’re waiting from yesterday. Vladimir says that they worked together a long time ago picking grapes in the Macon country, but Estragon can’t recall this either.
