full title Endgame
author Samuel Beckett
type of work Drama
genre Absurdist drama/comedy
language Originally french; translated into English by Beckett
time and place written Paris, mid-1950s
date of first production London, April 3, 1957
publisher Grove Press
narrator No narrator; drama
climax The climax occurs when Clov finally leaves
protagonist Hamm; Clov
antagonist At times Hamm; the environment; death
setting (time) Modern day
setting (place) A hole near the sea
point of view The audience empathizes most with Clov, though we spend the most time with Hamm
falling action Clov returns as Hamm soliloquizes
tense Play; present tense
foreshadowing Clov frequently threatens to leave, and Hamm often tells him to
tone Absurdly comic, philosophical
themes Cyclical, Repetitive Nature of Beginnings and Endings; Emptiness and Loneliness; Theatre of the Absurd
motifs Chess
symbols Light and darkness; Youth
