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1990s television series

Samuel Beckett's "Waiting for Godot" is famous throughout the world for its existentialist views, powerful didactic jargon and meaningful connotations which have captured the imaginations of "playgoers" everywhere. Liam Goodacre states "Waiting for Godot is unquestionably one of a kind". The play is based on two men's longing to find happiness which they feel they will find in one Mr.Godot. This scenario has become a timeless classic, as it has taken pop culture by storm and has affected a new generation of viewers. A recent reincarnation based upon "Waiting for Godot" is Kevin Williamson's "Dawson's Creek" which disproves Goodacre's "one of a kind" statement. The productions of past and present are brought together by their characters search for happiness; as well the supporting characters help to propel the plot while at the same time revealing the theme. Thus the two, will forever be intertwined as the comparisons are copious. The similarities between these two timeless classics is remarkable, until the end when modern culture takes over "Dawson's Creek" and gives the viewer a happy ending, instead of Beckett's ending where nothing is resolved.

The following is evidence of how "Waiting for Godot" is the inspiration behind the WB's "Dawson's Creek". The two stories of Beckett and Williamson follow the often used "man vs. man" primitive plot archetype, yet they also use their creative license by adding a "man vs. self" subplot. In "Waiting for Godot" the characters Vladimir and Estragon are foils, this is because of the vast differences between the two, yet somehow their lives have become intertwined for one apparent reason. These two characters are friends and enemies, which creates for a very comical, yet intense "man vs. man" storyline. Estragon and Vladimir represent how best friends bring out each others best and worst traits .The same can be said for Pacey and Dawson who are the two main characters in "Dawson's Creek". The characters are very contrasting due to their personalities; one is the proverbial nice guy (Vladimir and Dawson) where the opposing character is shown as having a "me against the world" attitude (Estragon and Pacey). The pair of friends both have one major goal in common however, which at times brings them to be bitter enemies. The characters also use similar if not the exact same, connotations and didactic tendencies, which also holds the plot together. The major goal the characters have in common, is seen in their search for personal


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