The Wisdom Of Why Samuel Beckett is so funny!
Nov 10, 2025
Explore the intriguing blend of humor and despair in Samuel Beckett's work. Discover how his characters' physical comedy in 'Waiting for Godot' adds a humorous layer to their deep philosophical struggles. Delve into his vaudeville influences and the slapstick techniques that highlight existential themes. Unpack the irony in Beckett's use of meaningless dialogue, revealing how it can be both absurd and oddly comforting. Ultimately, laugh with the insight that Beckett's humor reflects our own dignity and absurdity in the face of life's challenges.
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Lofty Thought Meets Ridiculous Body
- Beckett pairs lofty philosophical speech with bodies that undercut it, creating comedic deflation.
- The mismatch shows human dignity as fragile and often illusory.
Godot's Tramps Echo Vaudeville
- In Waiting for Godot, Estragon and Vladimir argue about meaning while fumbling with hats and boots.
- The host likens their repetitive physical failures to Buster Keaton's vaudeville slapstick.
Slapstick As Existential Metaphor
- Beckett inherits slapstick's repetitive, stubborn persistence and maps it onto existential futility.
- Human effort becomes a kind of tragic-comic performance against an incomprehensible universe.
