Character Analysis of 'Lucky' in Waiting for Godot

Lucky is an interesting character in Waiting for Godot. He is, in all essence, Pozzo's servant

and slave. He is mistreated physically and verbally, worked to the bone, and given no freedom to act in

his own will.

Lucky's position is portrayed as somewhat enviable in Waiting for Godot. If you consider his

name, one realizes many things. 'Lucky' itself could be made out to be an ironic term, yet is is very

likely that this character is quite fortunate in his circumstances in stark comparison to the rest of the

players in this play. One could reason that the life of a slave being considered lucky is a testament and

show of how bad everyone elses life is. Yet, I believe that Lucky has certainty and conciousness,

moreso than the other players. Vladamir and Estragon suffer with these two ideas throughout the play.

Having certainty is in truth the reason that Lucky is in fact, as his name states, Lucky. He does

not have to worry about what to do, when he should do it, and if he should do anything at all. He

doesn't have to worry about what the consequences of his actions are, as he is a slave. Someone tells

him what to do, and when to do it. He derives from Pozzo so much that Didi and Gogo want from

Godot – he does not have to worry about all the responsibilties of the world, and he is saved from being

paralyzed with indecision.

Lucky is fully aware that he has the position of a slave. He has his own conciousness, and his

own thoughts. They are his own. Vladimir and Estragon are somewhat enslaved to the concept of

Godot – hence why they simply can not leave – yet they believe themselves to be free. This is an

interesting dichotomy that exists in Godot, one of several I found quite interesting in this thought
provoking play. If Vladimir and Estragon are enslaved by the fact that they must wait for Godot –

Lucky is truly the lucky one. He can see that he is a slave. Vladimir and Estragon, despite their

ramblings, simply can not see how little freedom they truly have.

Lucky does have a few things to worry about of his own, however. Lucky can not be entirely

certain that his position at Pozzo's side, as his slave, is a permanent thing. He hence has to be

concerned about losing his livelihood as Pozzo's servant. Although he does have his uncertainties, he

can not do anything about them – which offers a certain kind of freedom in itself. That of lack of

worry, of certainty. The character of Lucky is only allowed to speak when he is told to. If you

compare Lucky's silence to the rambling stream of constant questions that Vladimir and Estragon pose,

you might say that he is quite peaceful. Lucky can not ask questions, and hence, one could argue that

Lucky's position is worse because he cannot express his dismay – he is forced to suffer in silence.

Lucky has a very large speech in Act 1. At first, one is forced to wonder about Lucky's sanity.

He spits absurd concept on top of absurd concept. He cuts off his phrases at odd locations, and repeats

himself. I looked up the speech and had to re-read it, and I believe I have found meaning in it.

“Given the existence as uttered forth in the public works of Puncher and Wattmann of a

personal god quaquaquaqua with white beard quaquaquaqua outside time without extension who from

the heights of divine apathia divine athambia divine aphasia loves us dearly with some exceptions for

reasons unknown but time will tell...”

Taking a look at all of his seemingly insane gibberish text, I began to see patterns. Lucky ends

up repeating several phrases. The most prominent of these phrases is “for reasons unknown.” It crops

up ten times. Meditating upon this, I believe this to be related to one of the themes of the play –
uncertainty. Lucky doesn't know why these things happen, and does not know his future. Another

phrase he repeats is “time will tell.” This reflects his beliefs that he is but a slave, and must take what

comes to him. This also leads towards what I believe to be the major theme of the play – uncertainty.

Uncertainty – what will happen, when will it happen, what will I do, what do we do until then.

For all of these heavily existential questions that must be faced, Lucky is indeed Lucky that he

does not have to worry about them. At least, not nearly as much as most. He is Lucky for this reason,

and in his name I find both irony and truth.