How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Act.Line). Every time a character talks counts as one line, even if what they say turns into a long monologue.
Quote #1
Clov goes and stands under window left. Stiff, staggering walk. He looks up at window left. He turns and looks at window right. He goes and stands under window right. He looks up at window right. He turns and looks at window left. He goes out, comes back immediately with a small step-ladder, carries it over and sets it down under window left, gets up on it, draws back curtain. He gets down, takes six steps (for example) towards window right, goes back for ladder, carries it over and sets it down under window right, goes back for ladder, gets up on it, draws back curtain. He gets down, takes three steps towards window left, goes back for ladder, carries it over and sets it down under window left, gets up on it, looks out of window. Brief laugh. He gets down, takes one step towards window right, goes back for ladder, carries it over and sets it down under window right, gets up on it, looks out of window. Brief laugh. (1.Opening Stage Directions)
How does this comic opening affect your attitude toward the play? What do you make of the predictable nature of Clov's forgetfulness? Why does Clov laugh?
Quote #2
NAGG
Me pap!
HAMM
Accursed progenitor!
NAGG
Me pap! (1.77-79)
Why is this line funny? Is it Hamm's choice of words or the general sentiment? In what ways does absurdity mask honesty? In what ways is there no way to understand honesty except as absurdity?
Quote #3
CLOV(sadly)
No one that ever lived ever thought so crooked as we. (1.110)
Is there something about the post-apocalyptic situation that makes Clov and Hamm's absurd behavior more understandable? How does their behavior show how much their thought has been perverted? What things that seem absurd to us might seem perfectly sane to them?