Beckett’s work is abstract and surreal. The minimalist language combined with the abnormal premises makes it hard to understand. Beckett creates a universally difficult situation in his works, which allows for a freeform interpretation. Beckett deliberately makes it difficult for his audience to understand ‘Endgame. Endgame’s depth is created by the audience, who’s perception of these minute details. Beckett’s play transcends all aspects of human existence, from death to faith, and he forces his audience to reflect upon their own lives because of the openness of the play. It contains so many fragments that are relatable to them. Beckett has stated that he does not have strong opinions. However, it is debatable as to whether or not he actually believes in the Endgame subjects. I am curious about the form of an idea.'(i). This implies that any value found in Endgame is derived from audiences’ own experiences, and Beckett’s influence was only slight. To accept Beckett’s statements about his plays would be naive. Beckett had elements from ‘Waiting for Godot” and ‘Endgame in his life, which indicates that these plays were deeply meaningful to him. Beckett’s intention is to have the audience re-examine themselves, and I think that statement is true.
Beckett’s metaphors touch on so many different aspects of an audience’s lives that I will focus only on the main metaphors. Endgame has been interpreted as a narrative of a single person, with the stage representing their head. This can be easily supported: the windows can represent the eye, the room the brain, and bins the memory. The audience can relate to the stage as a metaphor of a brain. Clov and Hamm’s constant bickering may represent the inner struggle between conscience and ego. Beckett’s play reflects internal conflicts that affect all of us. Beckett could be trying to make the audience evaluate their mentality; what part of themselves do they listen to? Clov declares that he loves order. It’s a dream. Or Hamm’s wildly emotional question, “Is their misery any higher than mine?” Beckett is not a fan of either but wants the audience, and himself, to know themselves. Clov’s description of the world beyond the windows and the realm seen through the eyes is also a sign that the individual has lost touch with reality. Beckett warns against this kind of introspection, suggesting that an individual will become insane due to the emptiness of their mind.
Beckett is then able to show the audience that isolation and internal fixation are both equally dangerous. The stage is enclosed and claustrophobic, with a circular theme. Hamm is asked to move in a ring and then wants to be in exactly the middle of stage. This highlights the symmetrical, round nature of this play. This cyclical sequence reflects an individual’s survival when they are isolated, with the monotonous routine being repeated indefinitely. Beckett spent many years in the bleak trenches of WWII. It was during this period that he also suffered from depression. Beckett uses this symbol to convey a very clear message. It is not ambiguous. He is saying that people shouldn’t feel alone. Beckett highlights this by referring to “Dante’s Inferno”. As Hamm listens, he describes the play as “the second hell” with allusions of the cyclical aspects of the nine stages Hell. Beckett says that being alone in Hell is the worst thing you can do.
Dramatic tension is primarily created by the question of whether Clov will abandon Hamm. Nell commands him to desert and Hamm repeatedly threatens that he’ll leave. Beckett might seem to prioritize choice, but the truth is revealed in a line. Beckett reveals to the audience the identity of Clov when he says that the rat will die if Clov doesn’t kill it. Clov might leave the space, but Hamm will be the only one to feed him. If Clov stays, the food supply will run out. Beckett’s play presents the illusion of choice. It is in some ways a farce as the dramatic tension has been objectively faulty. Beckett asks audiences to consider the meaning of their choices and if it is worth the effort. He also challenges them to decide if they would be happier if they accepted determinism.
Beckett explores a number of themes in Endgame, including the notion of memory and whether or not it is valuable to an audience. Memory is generally regarded as pleasant, even in its non-logistical forms. Beckett makes audiences rethink this idea by using Nagg & Nell. The characters’ memories of “The Ardennes” or rowing a boat are so vivid that they can’t help but laugh. They are a joke; they look old, pale and broken, and they’re in the trash as if literally garbage. These people are lost in memory; they don’t know what reality is. They only want to say “Me papa!” and cannot kiss. Beckett shows the struggle between reality versus memory through Nagg & Nell. It is a pathetic clash. Beckett is of the opinion that memories should be less stressed and we should live in the moment.
Hamm, who is irritated when Clov refuses to do so, is adamant that they continue their relationship. The dialogue is usually overtly stagey and unnaturalistic. This is done to ‘keep the conversation going’. When forced language is used onstage, it can appear strange and unnatural. Beckett set up a stage mirror; Hamm’s and Clov’s everyday banter is reflected on the screen, as they know they are under scrutiny. These conversations are meaningless and add nothing to the lives of audiences. They are actually barriers to keep us safe from meanings that can be uncomfortable or scary. Beckett shows the audience that small-talk is as painful as silence by asking them to “keep the dialogue”. Hamm & Clov move through small talk:
Imagine that if the rational being who came to earth had observed us for a long time, he would have some ideas.
Beckett uses ellipses to show that he is afraid of the meaning behind the words.
Beckett’s drama forces us, through the creation story and anti-creation story, to examine what is perhaps one of our most fundamental assumptions: that being human is a good thing. Beckett helps us examine the idea that existing is good by retracing history. Beckett tells the story of anti-creation. Endgame is a story about characters who are obsessed and hate the existence. The characters in ‘Endgame,’ are obsessed with the end. They crave it and hate existence. Hamm refers to Clov as Adam’s descendant, God Eden, Eden’s gardener. Hamm then takes Clov (who is possibly Adam) away. Mother Pegg is dying from darkness, which is in contrast to Genesis’ famous ‘let light be’. Hamm tells Clov at the end the universe will be filled with ‘infinite darkness’, just like it was when it first began. Endgame is a story that questions whether or not existence, as we presume it to be, is actually good. There might even be less sorrow and pain if nothing exists.