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
(softly) Has he a beard, Mr. Godot?
BOY
Yes Sir.
VLADIMIR
Fair or . . . (he hesitates) . . . or black?
BOY
I think it's white, Sir.
Silence.
VLADIMIR
Christ have mercy on us! (2.823-27)
Vladimir puts two and two together here and concludes that Godot is God. This would be completely logical, except he’s basing his logic on a speech given by a ranting slave tied up on a rope, commanded to think by a tyrannical, deity-like figure, and able to do so only with the help of a bowler hat. The reason his final line in this quote is so emotional is that he fears the consequences of missing a meeting with Godot—even moreso than before.
Quote #17
ESTRAGON
And if we dropped [Godot]? (Pause.) If we dropped him?
VLADIMIR
He'd punish us. (2.848-9)
Vladimir doesn’t know anything about Godot—what he looks like, who he is, and he even if Godot's really his name. Yet Vladimir seems undeniably certain about his fear, which means he is certain of Godot’s power, if nothing else.