Essay on Literature

Since scholars have long utilized literature as a means of expressing social issues, it plays a significant role in society. The fact that in some instances, the idea of philosophy and the mystery of life have been described to engage a reader in a critical approach has proven to be crucial in terms of relevance. Samuel Becket and William Shakespeare are two examples of scholars whose works have been employed in numerous literature studies due to the complexity of subjects that are frequently presented in their narrations. Samuel Becket tells the never-ending tale of two men who are waiting for a mysterious Godot in Waiting for Godot, which comes to a close with a messenger telling them that Godot will not be showing up (Beckett 34). Meanwhile, Shakespeare’s Hamlet is a story of a royal family where Hamlet seeks revenge on who killed his father after Claudius has seized the throne and married his mother. Two plays by Beckett and Shakespeare enable the reader to ponder about the inevitability of passing away, as in both cases main characters consider death as an option, but not a mystery with dire consequences.

The justification of the unavoidable nature of death waiting for Godot is perceived from the way people opt for it when times become challenging. After waiting for several days in vanity, Estragon and Vladimir contemplate that it is better to kill themselves rather than continue suffering from the emotional trauma of waiting for something vague (Beckett 35). The decision to take their lives was made, as they do not see any value in life, doing nothing under the tree. The mystery of death then takes on another perspective, when the reader realizes, that, while the characters wish to die, they cannot consider this desire in the end, being uncertain in the outcome. Estragon suggests: “What about hanging ourselves?” on what Vladimir responds: “Hmm. It would give us an erection.” Estragon sums: “Let's hang ourselves immediately” (Beckett 25). The relevance of the conversation signals to the reader about the characters’ desperation. The experience that the two undergo demonstrates the reader and the society, that while they may think they understand the mystery like the two men thought they knew Godot, people might only subject themselves to emotional trauma. Furthermore, even though problems exist in the society, it does not warrant one to take somebody’s life. Death is inevitable, and it is better, when it comes by itself without planning.

The theme of death and the surrounding mystery is also apparent in Shakespeare’s Hamlet to be the cause and consequence of revenge. The reader is presented to a reigning king, Claudius, who has killed his brother and taken brother’s wife to be the queen at the throne. Claudius’ goal is to use death as a solution to his desire, as much as Estragon and Vladimir tried to consider dying as a way to escape their problems. However, Claudius ends up killing his brother in the process, caused by circumstances. He states: “Though yet of Hamlet our dear brother's death; The memory be green, and that it us befitted; To bear our hearts in grief, and our whole kingdom; To be contracted in one brow of woe” (Shakespeare 3). The relevance of this statement is to show that death seems to be a solution, but the idea of opting for murder has dire consequences. Claudius ends up being killed. The importance of the theme to the audience and the society at large is similar to what Beckett claims. Both writers note, that people who tend to opt for death to satisfy their ego, could get into trouble. However, while Estragon and Vladimir only ponder about it, Claudius proceeds to kill his brother, and is murdered in return.

In summary, it is worth underscoring that the two narrations by Beckett and Shakespeare serve to demonstrate the way members of the society become egocentric and attempt to serve their desires by opting for death. However, they often have no idea what such decisions hold for them due to the mystery surrounding the subject of death both on social and spiritual levels. This mystery reveals, that while death is inevitable, no one should consider it as an option to the challenges they are facing or the desires they wish to be accomplished, as taking life away has dire consequences.

Works Cited

Beckett, Samuel. Waiting for Godot. London: Faber & Faber Ltd Bloomsbury House, 2010.

Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. United States: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, 2010.