Act 1

Waiting for Godot has infamously been described as "Nothing happens, twice". In the first act you're introduced to the two tramps, Estragon and Vladimir, who are waiting beneath a barren tree. The reason the met is simply that they are waiting for a man named Godot, someone they hardly know. To occupy themselves they eat, sleep, talk, argue, sing, play games, exercise, swap hats, and contemplate suicide; anything so as “to hold the terrible silence at bay" (Knowlson, J). Vladimir tries to talk about repentance, bringing up the story of the two thieves crucified alongside Jesus, and the fact that only one of the Gospel writers mentions that one of them was saved. Though, Estragon has no deep thoughts about it and Vladimir expresses his frustration with Estragon’s limited conversational skills: “Come on, Gogo, return the ball, can’t you, once in a way?” Throughout the entire play Estragon struggles in this regard.

Their waiting is 'interrupted' by the passing of Master Pozzo and his slave, Lucky whom is tied by a long rope. They first mistake him for Godot, but are quickly corrected. The Tramps ask him to stay for a bit, and Pozzo agrees to rest a while and enjoy a meal of chicken and wine. Estragon jumps at the chance to ask for Pozzo's discarded chicken bones, much to Vladimir's embarrassment. Pozzo tells him that the bones belong to the carrier and to ask Lucky. Estragon tries to speak to the slave, but Lucky hangs his head and refuses to answer. Estragon takes the bones regardless. Vladimir approaches Pozzo about the mistreatment of Lucky, but Pozzo ignores his protests. They want to know why Lucky doesn’t put down his load; Pozzo explains that Lucky is trying to mollify him so he won’t be sold in which Lucky begins to cry. Pozzo provides the handkerchief, but when Estragon tries to wipe away his tears he is kicked in the shins by Lucky. Pozzo asks if he can do anything for the pair before he leaves, Estragon tries to ask for some money but Vladimir cuts him short saying that they are not beggars. They accept an offer for Lucky to dance and think--which he does out loud--for them. The dance is clumsy, shuffling, and everyone is disappointed. After Pozzo's leaves, a boy arrives short after. He claims to be a messenger sent from Godot, to advise the pair that he will not be coming that “evening but surely tomorrow." Vladimir interrogates the boy and he asks the boy if he came the day before, making it clear that the two men have been waiting for an indefinite period and will likely keep on waiting ad infinitum. Vladimir and Estragon then decide to leave but make no move.

Act 2

Act II opens with Vladimir singing a round about a dog which, serves to illustrate the cyclical nature and repetition of the play itself. The second act begins with more mundane acts. Estragon insist that he was beaten the night before (as he did in the first act) and doesn't remember a thing about lucky or Pozzo. Vladimir shows Estragon the wound he suffered when Lucky kicked him- but got distracted by the fact Estragon was not wearing boots. Estragon tries to eat, sleeps, and Vladimir sings him a lullaby. Shortly after Vladimir notices Lucky’s hat and he decides to try it on, after going on about Lucky and Pozzo and even mimicking them, Estragon still can't remember anything about them.

Straight after this Pozzo and Lucky arrive once more, significantly changed. Pozzo is now blind and he insists that Lucky is dumb. Lucky's rope is now much shorter and Lucky leads Pozzo, rather than being driven by him. Pozzo has lost all notion of time, but assures them he cannot remember meeting them the day before, nor does he expect to remember the current day’s events when they are over. Pozzo is noticeably less arrogant than in Act one. His parting words – which Vladimir expands upon later – eloquently encapsulates the brevity of human existence: “They give birth astride of a grave, the light gleams an instant, then it’s night once more.” The boy returns to inform that Godot will not come today, "But he'll come tomorrow". They resolve to bring a more suitable piece and hang themselves the next day, if Godot fails to arrive. Again, they agree to leave but neither of them makes any move to go.

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