Endgame Essay

In the play “Endgame” written by Samuel Beckett, the title of the play is derived from the stage in chess called the endgame. This is where the conclusion of the game has been decided by the two opposing players. At this stage of the game the opposing players have few remaining pieces and because the outcome of the game has been decided, the remaining pieces have a predetermined fate. The characters Hamm, Clov, Nell and Nagg in the play “Endgame”, are representations of the chess pieces king, queen and pawn. These characters may be read as symbols which convey the thematic concern of the final moments of these character’s lives and their relationship with the end. Specifically, these characters’ inability to control how their lives end, yet try to compensate through any trivial actions or ideas possible. Beckett explores these actions in his play and demonstrates the overall helplessness of the characters. The similarities between these characters attempts to change their lives and to that of chess pieces that are controlled by the chess player, are representative of why Samuel Beckett chose the namesake “Endgame” for his play.  

In “Endgame”, the play revolves around the protagonist Hamm, who has reached near the end of his lifespan. Early in the play, Hamm recites if any “suffer[s] as much as” he does and that “[he] can't stand” (Beckett). Hamm’s poor health renders him unable to walk and he is also blind. His mobility is very limited and he heavily relies upon Clov to help in his day to day life. Yet, regardless of his infirmity, throughout the play Hamm subjects Clov and his other family, to tedious tasks such as to “get [him] ready” for the day (Beckett). In contrast to a game of chess, where the king is the most important piece on the board, it is similar to how Hamm is the central character in the story. The king in chess is the most important piece and subjects all the other pieces in the game to serve its interests. Furthermore, the king is the most...