Act II — They give birth astride of a grave
from Waiting for Godot
Written by Samuel Beckett

Pozzo erupts in a nihilistic fury over the nature of time and mortality before departing. Vladimir and Estragon are left alone once more, grappling with loneliness and the futility of their existence.
POZZO: One day we were born, one day we shall die, the same day, the same second, is that not enough for you? They give birth astride of a grave, the light gleams an instant, then it's night once more.
ESTRAGON: Why will you never let me sleep?
VLADIMIR: I felt lonely.
ESTRAGON: I was dreaming I was
Create a free account to explore more
Upgrade to Pro for full access — £6.99/month
Director's Notes
Want expert coaching on this scene?
Browse our curated list of acting coaches, dialect specialists, and more.
Need representation?
Browse verified agents and casting directors in our directory.
How well does this scene match you?
Save your casting profile to see match scores on every scene.
Try Headshot AnalyserGo Pro
£6.99/mo
- ✓ Unlimited scene reading
- ✓ PDF downloads
- ✓ Director's Notes
- ✓ Headshot Analyser
- ✓ Cover Letter Generator
- ✓ Practice Mode
- ✓ Agent Connect
- + 1,000+ scenes
More from Waiting for Godot
Act II — The Ending (Waiting for Godot)
from Waiting for Godot
In the final moments of the play, Vladimir and Estragon contemplate suicide and the possibility of leaving, only to remain trapped in their cycle of waiting for the mysterious Godot.
Act II — The Dog Song and Reunion
from Waiting for Godot
Vladimir opens the second act with a recursive song about a dog before being reunited with a weary and battered Estragon. The scene explores their codependent relationship and the repetitive, cyclical nature of their existence.
Act I — The Twilight Monologue
from Waiting for Godot
Pozzo delivers a dramatic, lyrical description of the fading daylight and the sudden onset of night to Vladimir and Estragon, eventually seeking their validation for his performance.
Act II — Waiting for Godot
from Waiting for Godot
Vladimir and Estragon continue their endless wait for the mysterious Godot. Vladimir experiences a moment of profound existential crisis before being interrupted by a Boy who delivers a message that Godot will not be coming today.
Similar Scenes
Chapter III — Dorian Describes Sibyl Vane
from The Picture of Dorian Gray
Dorian Gray passionately describes his first encounter with the actress Sibyl Vane to Lord Henry. He contrasts her transcendent, artistic beauty with the mundane nature of ordinary women.
Martha's Bashful Confession
from Baby Reindeer
Martha recounts a series of perceived 'signs' she believes were sent to her by Donny, interpreting mundane social media posts and clothing choices as deep romantic signals. Her vulnerability masks an underlying delusional obsession, highlighting the thin line between a crush and stalking.
Lester and Angela
from American Beauty
A middle-aged man and his daughter's teenage friend share a tense, intimate moment in a living room. The scene explores themes of obsession, insecurity, and the fear of being ordinary.
The Interview — Frank T.J. Mackey
from Magnolia
A high-stakes interview between a charismatic pick-up artist and a journalist turns cold when she confronts him about his fabricated past and his mother's death. Frank's bravado crumbles into a defensive silence as his carefully constructed persona is dismantled.