Endgame and Act Without Words Essay -- Drama

Endgame and round Without WordsBeckett EndgameHamm is horrofied at the notion that existence is a take place matterand therefore is cyclic that beginnings and endings (60- 62) may beamalgamated in the grand scheme of things and that life will startafresh again. Nevertheless, the contradictions confuse his desires. Heis terrified of the flea and rat that Clov finds and wants toexterminate them in case humanity might start from there all overagain, but he also suggests that he and Clov go South to some othermammals. He wants to be left alone, but clings to Clov and doesanything he can to pull him back into the room. Most confusingly, hebelieves that nature is changing, though all evidence indicates thatit has zero change. Under his misanthropic exterior is a desperatecraving, the fear of being alone that has been with him ever sincechildhood (as Nagg tells it).Light (52- 56), which is utilize as a symbol of hope and life, expressesmany of the displayed facetts of Hamms personality. He is attractedto whatever light there is in a world where the light is fading (54), petition Clov to push him under the window so he can feel it on hisface. On the other hand, we also learn that he withheld light fromsomebody named Mother Pegg, who died of darkness. Compounding this isHamms blindness he has been cursed with darkness (50-56), and hewants others to share the same depressing and miserable fate. When hepolishes his dark glasses (41- 45), it is a futile routine of equalparts poignancy, resentment and bitterness.Indeed, Hamms routines are all futile (38, 44). As in many ofBecketts plays, routines are what humans perform to change overthemselves that death is not imminent, that each day is the same.Ironically, the empty, absurd practices only push them closer todeath. In the endgame of his life, Hamm is only partially reconciledto deathhe wants it to come, but he admits that he hesitates tofinish. (Beckett 3) The routines fill this middle ground, stavingoff death while drawing it ever closer. Both men question why they fructifyup with each other, and at one point Hamm suggests that Clov help himout of compassion. The real reason is that both are dependent on eachother (8- 14) and afraid to leave and be alone, despite their constantthreats. The play takes a surprisingly moving turn here at the e... ...aises the whistle to his lips, hesitates, drops it. Pause.)74. Yes, truly75. (He whistles. Pause. Louder. Pause.)76. Good.77. (Pause.)78. amaze79. (Pause. Louder.)80. Father81. (Pause.)82. Good.83. (Pause.)84. Were coming.85. (Pause.)86. And to end up with?87. (Pause.)88. Discard.89. (He throws away the dog. He tears the whistle from his neck.)90. With my compliments.91. (He throws the whistle towards the auditorium. Pause. He sniffs. Soft.)92. Clov93. (Long pause.)94. No? Good.95. (He takes out the handkerchief.)96. Since thats the way were playing it...97. (he unfolds handkerchief)98. ...lets play it that way...99. (he unfolds)100..and blab o ut no more about it... (he finishes unfolding)101.speak no more.102.(He holds handkerchief spread out before him.)103.Old stancher104.(Pause.)105.You... remain.106.(Pause. He covers his face with handkerchief, lowers his arms to armrests, 107. remains motionless.)101.(Brief tableau.)102.CurtainWork CitedBeckett, Samuel. Endgame and Act Without Words. New York Grove Press,1958.