World Literature

Voltaire's Candide and John Beckett's Waiting For Godot relate with respect to the relationships between Candide and Cacambo and between Vladimir and Estragon. The characteristics of these two relationships possess similarities as well as differences. Both pairs' friendships and experiences as well as their philosophies share parallels and distinctions.
Both relationships are not based primarily in friendship, but rather in differing aspects such as dependence, servitude, and hope. Candide and Cacambo's friendship endures until their inevitable separation, whereas Vladimir and Estragon's friendship vacillates frequently as they go through their cyclic trials where they fight, reconcile, and then reemerge as friends. Vladimir and Estragon can be considered companions, but nothing more. Their daily disputes and quarrels, which center around whether they should remain together or not, illustrate their ambivalent and onerous relationship. The brevity of Vladimir and Estragon's on-and-off friendships contrasts greatly with Cacambo and Candide's lasting friendship.
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