Two men, Estragon and Vladimir, meet by a tree at dusk to wait for someone named "Godot." So begins a vexing cycle where the two debate when Godot will come, why they're waiting and whether they're even at the right tree. The play offers a simple but stirring question- what should the characters do? Iseult Gillespie shares everything you need to know to read the tragicomedy. [TED-Ed Animation by Tomás Pichardo-Espaillat].

Iseult Gillespie: Why should you read "Waiting for Godot"?

Why should you read "Waiting for Godot"?

In 'Waiting for Godot,' Beckett crafts a tragicomedy that navigates existential dread with a blend of humor and hopelessness.

The play's ambiguous nature invites endless interpretations, from Cold War allegories to reflections on human existence.

Beckett's mastery in 'Waiting for Godot' lies in juxtaposing the absurdity of life with the search for meaning, all under bowler hats.