Waiting for Godot Freedom and Confinement Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Act.Line) Every time a character talks counts as one line, even if what they say turns into a long monologue.

Quote #10

VLADIMIR
You work for Mr. Godot?
BOY
Yes Sir.
VLADIMIR
What do you do?
BOY
I mind the goats, Sir.
VLADIMIR
Is he good to you?
BOY
Yes Sir.
VLADIMIR
He doesn't beat you?
BOY
No Sir, not me.
VLADIMIR
Whom does he beat?
BOY
He beats my brother, Sir. (1.783-792)

In the Boy and the absent Godot we have another set of master and slave. Vladimir and Estragon, then, are the only set of equals in the play. Or are they?

Quote #11

VLADIMIR
One is not master of one's moods. All day I've felt in great form. (2.16)

By declaring himself at the mercy of his emotions, Vladimir takes another step in the direction of self-imposed servitude.

Quote #12

Vladimir pulls up the trousers, looks at the leg, lets it go. Estragon almost falls.
VLADIMIR
The other. (Estragon gives the same leg.) The other, pig! (Estragon gives the other leg.) (2.233)

Vladimir has assimilated notions of master and servant from watching Pozzo and Lucky. Notice which role he takes for himself in this implicit case (calling Estragon a "pig," as Pozzo does to Lucky)—as opposed to the role Vladimir takes later when explicitly playing pretend with Estragon.