Stoppard's Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead and Beckett's Waiting for Godot

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Stoppard's Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead and Beckett's Waiting

for Godot are two plays with very similar pairs of characters. The

reason for this great similarity is because Stoppard based his pair of

characters on that of Beckett. In each set of characters, there is one

member who represents the physical part of the pair and the other

member represents the philosophical or psychological part. In

addition, both pairs of characters seem to strive off of their

companion, but in each case there is one partner who needs the other

more. In the case of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, it is Rosencrantz

who needs the assistance of Guildenstern; in the case of Vladimir

(Didi) and Estragon (Gogo), it is Gogo who needs Didi's companionship

more.

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern share a common companionship. They appear

to be childhood friends who have grown up together, but they have no

recollection of their past. Rosencrantz, who is the physical aspect of

the duo, is very practical. He reasons out many things and seems to

find innovative and creative things to do with everyday items such as

paper and bird feeders. He needs to touch things in order to get a

full understanding of what it is. Guildenstern, on the other hand, is

the philosophical facet of the duo. He seems to reason out everything

with logic. There is no need for him to physically experience an

explanation for something; instead, he comes up with an extraordinary

explanation and accepts it by faith.

Didi and Gogo share a unique relationship. The two appear as if they

are not true friends, but instead together just as companionship to

not be lonely. They do no share the loving bond that is apparent in

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Both Didi and Gogo also have an apparent

memory problem. They can not remember whether they were in a certain

place the previous day. Gogo is the physical part of this pair. He has

an impairment with his feet; an inflammation of some sort. He has

trouble taking off his boots therefore giving him smelly feet. Gogo

has extremely bad memory and has trouble remembering what they are

doing until Didi reminds him that they are "Waiting for Godot". Didi

is the psychological aspect of this pair. He is always seen removing

his hat and looking in it as if he is looking for his mind. He has

trouble urinating which could be due to a kidney infection or most

likely syphilis.

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are very friendly to and respectful of

each other. Though they yell at each other occasionally, it is out of

love and in the end, they end up embracing and making up.

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