Waiting for Godot

Vladimir is the closest character to a traditional protagonist. Compared to Estragon, he is more mature, preferring to take a rational approach to their predicament. He exhibits a keen desire to analyze and explain their circumstances, and he appears to experience time differently than the other characters. Whereas Estragon forgets events and conversations from even a short time ago, Vladimir is able to recall past experiences and remember people from previous encounters. It is Vladimir who realizes how closely events from the second act mirror those of the first. In this sense, he is the closest the audience has to a proxy on the stage, which helps to solidify his position as the ostensible protagonist.

Vladimir also exhibits a sense of morality. When Pozzo and Lucky appear, it is Vladimir who is outraged by Pozzo’s poor treatment of Lucky. He wants to confront Pozzo and address his bad behavior. Ultimately, however, this outrage comes to nothing. Vladimir’s intentions come to nothing, and he never truly helps Lucky, While Vladimir’s empathy toward Lucky makes him a sympathetic figure, his failure to act is an extension of his overall situation: In the play’s environment, meaningful action and change is impossible.