Waiting for Godot: Pozzo's Props

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Identify Pozzo’s props and discuss how they define him. In Samuel Becket’s “Waiting for Godot” only a few props can be found in a rather empty and minimalistic stage and that is why every prop bears great significance. The most important props are: a whip, a rope, a stool, a pocket watch, a pair of glasses, a pipe, a vaporizer and a hat. The way he uses each unveils a different aspect of his personality. Even before Pozzo’s appearance on stage the audience can hear the sound of his whip. When he comes on stage, he is holding a rope and a whip, dragging Lucky who is carrying all Pozzo’s belongings, including a stool that Pozzo needs in order to sit upon and eat. The way he uses the whip, the rope and the stool show that he is a cruel, tyrannical and egocentric person who wants to be in control. He is the central authority figure. “[He] makes his entrance like Trumburlaine driving the pampered jade of Asia” (Cohn 155). Despite the dominance he possesses though, he greatly depends on Lucky and when a great twist occurs between Act I and Act II, the rope is now used to drag and guide him, due to his blindness. He becomes pathetic and miserable. Furthermore, another important prop is his pocket watch. This is not an ordinary watch since Pozzo can look at it and measure not only time but also years and distance. He is show off and we can understand that he is pretentious but also very dependant on what he believes is important. When he loses it he goes blind; he loses control and becomes helpless. He also depends on his glasses and he believes that every time he wants to see something he has to put them on. Another interpretation of these two props could be that they are both things that a gentleman would use, but he doesn’t understand how to use them. He is a fake leader and a fake tyrant. Another indication that he is pretending to be a high-class
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