Exploring Nietzschean Parallels in 'Waiting for Godot'.pptx

Summary

Exploring Nietzschean parallels in ‘Waiting for Godot’ compares Nietzsche’s philosophy with Beckett’s play, highlighting themes of nihilism, the death of God, and the will to power.

Highlights
🎭 Waiting for Godot as a tragic comedy explores themes of nihilism and meaninglessness
📚 Nietzsche’s concept of the “death of God” is paralleled in the play’s portrayal of waiting for salvation
🔄 The Eternal Recurrence concept in Nietzsche’s philosophy is reflected in the cyclical nature of the play
🎭 Parallels between the Ubermensch and characters like Lucky and Pozzo challenge traditional master-slave dynamics
📜 Beckett’s parody of the will to power emphasizes the characters’ indecision and reliance on external forces
🎭 Both Nietzsche and Beckett inspire introspection and personal growth through their works
🌌 The exploration of existential themes like absurdism and nihilism in the play and Nietzsche’s philosophy prompts deeper introspection
Key Insights
🎭 Waiting for Godot serves as a reflection of existential themes like nihilism, reflecting Nietzsche’s philosophy of the death of God. Both the play and Nietzsche’s philosophy challenge traditional values and emphasize the need for individual introspection and mastery over morality.
🔄 The concept of Eternal Recurrence in Nietzsche’s philosophy, symbolizing the cyclical nature of life, is portrayed in the repetitive and seemingly futile waiting in Waiting for Godot. This parallel highlights the characters’ acceptance of their fate and the meaninglessness of their actions.
🎭 Parallels between the Ubermensch and characters in the play illustrate the contrast between traditional master-slave dynamics and Nietzsche’s idea of creating one’s own morality. Beckett’s portrayal challenges the concept of authority and control, inviting the audience to question power dynamics and personal agency.
📚 Beckett’s parody of the will to power through the characters’ indecision and reliance on external forces reflects Nietzsche’s philosophy in a satirical light. This highlights the characters’ struggle to assert their will and power, ultimately leading to a reflection on the limitations of human agency and control.
🎭 Both Nietzsche and Beckett aim to inspire introspection and personal growth through their works, encouraging audiences to question traditional values and societal norms. By exploring existential themes like absurdism and nihilism, they prompt deeper reflections on the human condition and the search for meaning in a seemingly chaotic world.

1. Department of English Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University Date: 6 April 2024 Topic : Exploring Nietzschean Parallels in 'Waiting for Godot' Sem 2 | Batch 2023-25 Presented by Yashrajsinh Sodha

2. Exploring Nietzschean Parallels in Waiting for Godot Paper 107 : The Twentieth Century Literature: From World War II to the End of the Century Presented at : Sujata Binoy Gardi, Department of English MKBU, Bhavnagar

3. Personal Information Presented by : Yashrajsinh Sodha Enrollment Number : 5108230043 Email : [email protected] Batch : 2023-2025 Date : 06 April, 2024 Subject Code : 22400 Roll No : 28

4. Questions and ideas addressed in the presentation: What is Nietzsche's philosophy? What philosophy does Samuel Beckett aim to convey through his play 'Waiting for Godot'? What similarities exist between the philosophies of Nietzsche and Beckett ?

5. Table of contents 01 03 02 05 06 04 Introduction of the Text Introduction of Friedrich Nietzsche Philosophy of Nietzsche Finding Parallels Conclusion References

6. Introduction of the Text Title: Waiting for Godot Genre: Tragicomedy in two acts Author: Samuel Beckett Published: 1952 in French as "En attendant Godot" First Production: 1953 Innovation in Drama: Waiting for Godot was a true innovation in drama. Theatre of the Absurd: It marked the Theatre of the Absurd first theatrical success. ( Britannica)

7. Birth: October 15, 1844 (Germany) Death: August 25, 1900, Weimar, Thuringian States Occupation : German classical scholar, philosopher, and cultural critic Influence: One of the most influential modern thinkers Contributions: Unmasked motives underlying traditional Western religion, morality, and philosophy Impact: Deeply affected theologians, philosophers, psychologists, poets, novelists, and playwrights. ( Magnus,Britannica) Friedrich Nietzsche

8. Philosophy of Nietzsche Will to Power: The drive within us to control our lives and achieve our goals. (Nietzsche, Thus spoke Zarathustra) Übermensch (Overman): An ideal individual who creates their own values and lives beyond societal norms. (Nietzsche, Thus spoke Zarathustra) Eternal Recurrence: The idea that all events repeat infinitely in a cyclical view of time. ( Nietzsche, Ecce homo) Amor Fati (Love of Fate): Embracing and accepting one's fate with love, regardless of its challenges. ( Nietzsche, Why I Am So Clever) Nihilism: The concept refers to the recognition of the loss of traditional values, leading to a sense of meaninglessness. (Nietzsche, The Will To Power) ( The Creativity Post) ( The Will to Power,Amazon)

9. Finding Parallels Will to Power: “ Vladimir: Perhaps we should help him first. Estragon: To do what? Vladimir: To get up. Estragon: He can’t get up? Vladimir: He wants to get up. Estragon: Then let him get up. Vladimir: He can’t. Estragon: Why not. Vladimir: I don’t know.” (Beckett #) When they finally muster the will to attempt to help Pozzo they fall down themselves. We might interpret this vision of humanity as a critique of the ideas of the Will to Power and the Overman. Vladimir and Estragon seem unable to decisively will anything, and this may be connected, at least in part, to their uncertainty about themselves, their world, their past, present and future. (Valsson)

10. Nihilism “Vladimir: What about trying them? Estragon: I've tried everything. Vladimir: No, I mean the boots. Estragon: Would that be a good thing? Vladimir: It'd pass the time. [Estragon hesitates] I assure you, it'd be an occupation.” (Beckett #) The most striking thing about the world the play presents us with is its abject sense of meaninglessness. Indeed, the play evokes such a palpable sense of nihilism that it is almost as if nihilism itself assumes the role of a character in the play. Vladimir and Estragon seem stranded in a world where all values and all meaning have disappeared. This state of affairs is visualized by the barren scenery and claustrophobic atmosphere. (Valsson)

11. The other two main characters, Pozzo and Lucky, provide us with an interesting exploration as well as a curious parody of Nietzsche’s master and slave dialectic. Pozzo, while in a sense being the representative of the “master” type, is very far removed from being concurrent with the master type as described and idealized by Nietzsche. (Valsson) Übermensch (Overman)

12. “ Pozzo [suddenly furious]: Have you not done tormenting me with your accursed time! It’s abominable! When! When! One day, is that not enough for you, one day he went dumb, one day I went blind, one day we’ll go deaf, one day we were born, one day we shall die, the same day, the same second, is that not enough for you? [Calmer.] They give birth astride of a grave, the light gleams an instant, then it’s night once more.” (Beckett #) Eternal Recurrence ( Pinterest)

13. Conclusion Finding parallels Philosophy and literature Postmodern discourse Foster introspection and personal growth Deeper insight into existential themes

14. References "Exploring Nietzschean Parallels in Waiting for Godot." OpenAI, ChatGPT, https://chat.openai.com/ accessed April 2, 2024. “Friedrich Nietzsche’s Guide to Conquering Your...” The Creativity Post, www.creativitypost.com/article/friedrich_nietzsches_guide_to_conquering_your_existence . Accessed 01 Apr. 2024. “Related Image: Ancient Symbols, Eternal Return, Masonic Symbols.” Pinterest, 19 Dec. 2017, www.pinterest.com.au/pin/570479477791394162/ . Accessed 01 Apr. 2024. “The Will to Power (Audio Download): Friedrich Nietzsche, Ellis Freeman, Museumaudiobooks.Com: Amazon.in: Audible Books & Originals.” The Will to Power (Audio Download): Friedrich Nietzsche, Ellis Freeman, MuseumAudiobooks.Com: Amazon.in: Audible Books & Originals, www.amazon.in/The-Will-to-Power/dp/B07YSYL2HJ . Accessed 01 Apr. 2024.

15. References “Topics in Peninsular Literature - Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Spanish presentation template.” Slidesgo, https://slidesgo.com/theme/topics-in-peninsular-literature-doctor-of-philosophy-phd-in-spanish . Accessed 2 April 2024. Beckett, Samuel. Waiting for Godot: Tragicomedy in 2 Acts. Grove Press, 2011. Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Waiting for Godot". Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 Mar. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Waiting-for-Godot . Accessed 1 April 2024. Magnus, Bernd. "Friedrich Nietzsche". Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Mar. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Friedrich-Nietzsche . Accessed 1 April 2024. Nietzsche, Friedrich. Ecce homo. Translated by R. J. Hollingdale, Penguin Publishing Group, 1992. Accessed 1 April 2024.

16. References Nietzsche, Friedrich. The Will to Power. Edited by R. Kevin Hill, translated by R. Kevin Hill and Michael A. Scarpitti, Penguin Publishing Group, 2017. Nietzsche, Friedrich. Thus spoke Zarathustra : a book for everyone and no one. 1969. Accessed 1 April 2024. Nietzsche, Friedrich. Why I Am So Clever. Translated by R. J. Hollingdale, Penguin Books, 2016. Accessed 1 April 2024. Valsson, Jökull. “GODOT IS DEAD: Nietzsche and Beckett on Salvation and Suffering in a Godless Universe.” DiVA portal, 2011, https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:490798/FULLTEXT01.pdf . Accessed 2 April 2024.

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