87. SAMUEL BECKETT: Ever tried. Ever failed.
October 9th, 2012
Samuel Beckett (1906-1989) was an Irish Nobel Prize-winning author, playwright, director and poet most famous for writing the absurdist play Waiting for Godot. I haven’t seen it – in fact, I don’t think I’ve seen any theatre play. Jeez, I should really broaden my horizons and stop watching so much goddamn TV!
This is another great determination quote, so I thought it fitting to bring back our favourite dragon-slaying hero from the Never Give Up comic. (And he also appeared in Mountains and Valleys.) I’ve taken a liking to this little dude.
- IMPORTANT: Please read this post about comics decreasing to one update a week for the foreseeable future.
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Somewhere out there is a video of Waiting for Godot performed by prisoners in a prison. It adds a dimension.
Of course, Waiting for Godot is not something one really wants to watch for entertainment.
Also, once I have more money than I currently have, I’m going to want a print of this.
I performed in “Waiting for Godot” my freshman year in college. A tradicomedy about two hobos of questionable sexual orientation waiting for a guy that never shows up did not play well in central Illinois in 1991. But, for those who got it we made it work. Excellent choice with Beckett.
Well at least he’s making friends with the dragons now instead of killing them.
Lovely comic Gavin, thank you for creating it!
Having just recently watched “How to train your Dragon”, this did remind me of that somewhat.
But what is it with Vikings and Dragons (and Spam for that matter)?
I totally agree.
Derivativity caused by lack of creativity?
the last picture is simply amazing. the expression on the child’s face is purely awesome, the sense of accomplishment of at least going in the direction of goal. failing is inevitable, all we can do is try and try harder , its the journey that is important not the destination.
Don’t worry, we all watch way too much mindless Television hahaha
Another awesome poster ! You put life into everything you make Gav.. awesome..
Becket is interesting, definitely approach Waiting for Godot on a day when you have an abundance of patience it is about two guys killing time so its going to drag on. The version I watched was about 2.5 hours. If you are feeling impatient I would recommend reading it that will only take about 30min. Lots of dramatic pauses and building of suspense.
It was playing in Melbourne last year with Ian McKellen as one of the leads. I should have gone.
Dude, i could speak butterflies about your work at length, but for now i’ll save it for this. rock on for a) taking a break (that’s what you got away from the soulsucking cubicle, right?!) b) being a quote fanatic, c) combining that love with your art (two good things in one), and d) wanting to go and experience all the arts! Whooyah!
buuuuuuut, in my opinion, Godot is not something worth your time. of course, everybody differs, but don’t beat yourself up about it. :] went and saw it, wanted to cry. the actors were excellent, i could not even imagine if they would be like if they weren’t, because the play writing itself was so tortuous. if you like seeing people make mistakes again and again and put themselves through hell, and know they will continue to do so as messages of the world is hate and life is monotony and there is no escape are drummed into your head, then go for it.
i’d reccommend something by gilbert and sullivan instead. they’re extraordinarily witty with words and satorical in subject, and the music is great to boot. :]
At first,i’m going to give up on my program i currently doing.But then i read this comic,this is really motivate me.Thanks a lot.
Good luck!
Fun!
All of Beckett’s plays were done as film versions by the Irish Film Board a while back. It’s not as good as seeing a good stage version, but if a production isn’t playing anywhere near you, it’s nicely done.
Waiting for Godot is weird and silly and actually the MOST accessible of Beckett’s plays. It has the closest thing to a recognizable plot (even if that plot is two guys waiting for something to happen, and nothing happening). Personally, I LOVE waiting for Godot. Done right, it is alternately pants-wetting funny and heart-breaking sad. The actors in the IFB version do that quite well (some directors/actors focus on the weird and fail to notice the humour)
Hi Gavin:
Another great cartoon–thanks!
The best advice anyone can give to anyone else (even to oneself)–stop watching so much goddamn TV!
@Cole: No, not all of us; I effectively turned the set off in 1975. For the next 30 years I’d occasionally watch a baseball game, but that was all. I even stopped that in 2006; I haven’t had it on since then, and probably never will again. As Groucho Marx said, “I find television very educational–every time someone turns it on, I go in to the other room and read a book.”
When I moved to my own place 5 years ago, I didn’t bring a tv. I haven’t missed it a day since!
I remember enacting Waiting for Godot during my graduation. It surely is the most absurdist play, and the attire i put on for it–ridiculouser and ridiculouser! I was actually asked by my drama teacher to go in without inhibitions, and after doing the play, you will have your mind blown away!
Really love this character now. You should probably make a whole comic book about him! I’d love to read something like that. Kudos!
And you’re back.
Oh. Go see a theater play.
It is unlike anything else.
Do it sooner rather than later.
With your sensibilities I think you will be sorry you didn’t start sooner.
i’m culturally dead. haven’t seen a play even once!
This saying reminds me of a Japanese proverb: Fall seven times, stand up eight. By the way, I adore your dragon! Perhaps it could make a reappearance in a future strip?
Keep up the good work, Gavin. Your artwork adds so much to these sayings. It’s synergy at work. Thank you.
Realising that he could time-travel within his own lifetime, Dr Sam Beckett stepped into the Quantum Leap accelerator… AND BACK!
Oh, sorry, wrong Sam Beckett
Huh, there’s an idea: Start a series of parallel epics, one for the little Xiaolin monk and another for this little knight, and have them meet at the end.
A team-up has crossed my mind
This one I like much more. Especially the Viking offering the helping hand, after your little dude won his respect.
Waiting for Godot is something I imagine would be more easy to read than watch. I read it as part of a high school English class, and while it wasn’t bad, it wasn’t entirely thrilling either. I ended up really liking it overall (I’m not quite sure why), but you definitely have to keep in mind that the premise is a bit absurd and then just go with it. I can’t imagine sitting through it.
Hey! It’s this cute guy again!
You should try writing a continuous story!
Your comics are amazingly inspirational and I’m quite sure you could integrate a lot of the important themes discussed here into a series.
I, for one, would pay to read that
Kudos!
Never surely knew what ment – fail better. Now I know! Thanks!
This looks like ‘How to train your Dragon’.
I perceive Beckett’s this well known as a pretty dark one. It’s very sarcastic and I guess, Beckett2s quote here is mostly misunderstood as well as Beckett himself.
Fail better quote is an open rebellion against the expectations of society and this “success addiction”, “fetishism of better and more”. These are such petty beliefs which rely on a structure of society where individuals’ actions serve to the improvement of great masses. However, no one talks about how discouraging our social strutcture, people and the system we’re living in are.
What Beckett meant by his quote is: Do what “you” do, do it more often and more intensely. Mostly, others will call it failure. Then fail, try again and fail again. And fail better. No mater what others expect, be who you are. Even it means to fail constantly, have failure. But only, be yourself. Do not be ashamed of it. There is no single form of truth.