Waiting for Godot

Act One

A blank landscape. A desolate road. A barren tree. Estragon, a vagabond tramp, is struggling to take off his boot. His friend Vladimir enters, and they greet each other. Estragon continues to pull at his boot while Vladimir examines his hat. In his examination, Vladimir becomes philosophical about the Gospels, and wonders why—in the telling of the Crucifixion—one of the Gospels is different regarding the account of the thieves. The men do not reach any conclusion except Estragon’s assertion that “People are bloody ignorant apes.”

Estragon states that he wants to leave. However, they are waiting for Godot, who will meet them by the tree. Yet, they are not sure if they are waiting on the right day or even by the right tree. Estragon falls asleep, and when Vladimir wakes him, Estragon is eager to tell his friend about his “private nightmares”; Vladimir refuses to listen. Estragon suggests hanging themselves from the tree while waiting for Godot, but decides to wait for Godot