Waiting for Godot Choices Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Act.Line) Every time a character talks counts as one line, even if what they say turns into a long monologue.

Quote #16

VLADIMIR
Let us not waste our time in idle discourse! (Pause. Vehemently.) Let us do something, while we have the chance! It is not every day that we are needed. Not indeed that we personally are needed. (2.526)

Vladimir has resolved himself to action, yet still wastes time in the very "idle discourse" he intends to condemn. His choice (in this case, to act) is negated by the very process of making that choice.

Quote #17

ESTRAGON
Suppose we got up to begin with?
VLADIMIR
No harm trying.
They get up.
ESTRAGON
Child's play.
VLADIMIR
Simple question of will-power.
ESTRAGON
And now?
POZZO
Help! (2.634-9)

Here we see a fundamental difference between Pozzo and the two men Vladimir and Estragon. The latter are able to act, albeit after deliberation, but Pozzo remains helpless until others either tell him what to do or physically do it for him.

Quote #18

VLADIMIR
We have to come back tomorrow.
ESTRAGON
What for?
VLADIMIR
To wait for Godot. (2.841-3)

Vladimir finds himself once again condemned to wait for Godot, but he fails to realize that – just moments before – he made a choice to set up another "appointment." Through his apparently routine conversations with the Boy, Vladimir in fact condemns himself to a lifetime of waiting for Godot.