How we cite our 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 #1
HAMM
And yet I hesitate, I hesitate to…to end. Yes, there it is, it's time it ended and yes I hesitate to—
(he yawns)
—to end. (1.2)
Is this a sign of strength or weakness? How can "hesitation" amount to perseverance? Can one persevere without succeeding, simply by enduring long enough in the face of certain failure?
Quote #2
HAMM
I'll give you nothing more to eat.
CLOV
Then we'll die.
HAMM
I'll give you just enough to keep you from dying. You'll be hungry all the time. (1.32-34)
Does Clov have the ability to endure separate from Hamm? Are these lines a great admission of defeat or a determination to endure? Is it really endurance if someone else is forcing you to do it?
Quote #3
HAMM
We do what we can.
CLOV
We shouldn't. (1.111-112)
Are these positions that the two characters hold throughout the entire play? Does the fact that Hamm seems to not yet be ready to end whereas Clov does mean that Hamm's behavior is a sign of perseverance whereas Clov's is a sign of defeat?