How we cite the quotes:
Citations follow this format: (Act.Line). Every time a character talks counts as one line, even if what they say turns into a long monologue.
| Quote #16 VLADIMIR I've seen you before, haven't I? BOY I don't know, Sir. VLADIMIR You don't know me? BOY No Sir. VLADIMIR It wasn't you came yesterday? BOY No Sir. (1.771-6) |
Vladimir doubts his own memory here, but compare this to his reaction in Act II when he sees the Boy again.
| Quote #17 VLADIMIR And why doesn't he beat you? BOY I don't know, Sir. VLADIMIR He must be fond of you. BOY I don't know, Sir. Silence. […] VLADIMIR You're not unhappy? […] BOY I don't know, Sir. VLADIMIR You don't know if you're unhappy or not? BOY No Sir. (1.797-808) |
The repetition of "I don’t know" is an appropriate ending to Act I.
| Quote #18 VLADIMIR Tell him . . . (he hesitates) . . . tell him you saw us. (Pause.) You did see us, didn't you? BOY Yes Sir. (1.817-8) |
Vladimir’s uncertainty seems to have worsened throughout the course of the play. Whereas earlier he doubted memory and knowledge, he now can’t even accept that actions are true in the moment they occur.