Waiting for Godot Vladimir Quotes

Vladimir > Estragon

Quote 25

VLADIMIR
Say you are, even if it's not true.
ESTRAGON
What am I to say?
VLADIMIR
Say, I am happy.
ESTRAGON
I am happy.
VLADIMIR
So am I.
ESTRAGON
So am I.
VLADIMIR
We are happy.
ESTRAGON
We are happy. (Silence.) What do we do now, now that we are happy?
VLADIMIR
Wait for Godot. (2.42-50)

Faced with constant uncertainty, the men begin to fake conviction. Unfortunately, assigning labels (like "happy") provides no assistance with the central problem of inaction.

Vladimir

Quote 26

VLADIMIR
But that is not the question. What are we doing here, that is the question. And we are blessed in this, that we happen to know the answer. Yes, in this immense confusion one thing alone is clear. We are waiting for Godot to come— (2.526)

Again, this is ironic; the one fact the men are absolutely certain of is surrounded by the most doubt and questioning.

Vladimir > Pozzo

Quote 27

VLADIMIR
And you are Pozzo?
POZZO
Certainly I am Pozzo.
VLADIMIR
The same as yesterday?
POZZO
Yesterday?
VLADIMIR
We met yesterday. (Silence.) Do you not remember?
POZZO
I don't remember having met anyone yesterday. But tomorrow I won't remember having met anyone today. So don't count on me to enlighten you. (2.746-51)

The constant state of uncertainty is the only consistent, objective truth in Waiting for Godot.