Vladimir: But you say we were here yesterday.
Estragon: I may be mistaken.
Vladimir: I felt lonely.
Estragn: I had a dream.
Vladimir: Don't tell me!
Estragon: There are times when I wonder if it wouldn't be better for us to part.
Vladimir: You wouldn't go far.
The play begins with these two characters. The beginning of the play is dedicated to the display of Vladimir and Estragon's character and relationship. Vladimir is the leader, however they are both depended on each other. This dependency extends even to minute, everyday things, as Estragon cannot even take off his boot without help from Vladimir. One of the characters often repeats a line that the other has previously said. This textual repetition could show how their lives seem to repeat as they seem to wait for Godot everyday.
The repetitiveness of the play is best illustrated by Estragon's repeated requests to leave, which are followed each time by Vladimir telling him that they cannot leave because they are waiting for Godot. The exact repetition of the lines each time this dialogue appears, including the stage directions, reinforces the idea that the same actions occur over and over again and suggests that these actions happen more times than the play presents.
In this beginning section, the nature of Vladimir and Estragon's relationship with Godot reminds me of the beginning of Great Gatspy. He is protrayed as a super important figure and he is defined as a character before he even makes an appearance in the play.They mention that they asked Godot for "a kind of prayer...a vague supplication," which he is currently considering. This creates a parallel between Godot and God, also suggested by their similar names, and it seems that Vladimir and Estragon do consider Godot a kind of religious figure when they mention coming in on their hands and knees.
