Endgame (Element I Found Compelling)

As someone who admires theatre and has seen many intricate plays growing up, I have found The Endgame especially intriguing. Throughout the story, the element that I have found the most compelling is the complicated relationship between Hamm and Clov with the recurring question of whether Clov will leave Hamm. The two men seem to possess very little chemistry, as they are constantly annoyed and tired of each other. Clov seems to act in a robot-like way towards Hamm’s commands, and Hamm seems to grow tired of Clov’s lack of real companionship. Both of the characters are clearly suffering, and yet they continue their daily miserable routines. Their relationship could allude to the numerous marriages in which both partners are unhappy, yet cannot seem to gather the courage to leave each other. Clov does not seem to be emotionally involved in any way, yet continues to listen to Hamm’s demanding orders; Hamm continuously shifts from either being cold to Clov to demanding his affection. The two characters seem to have a strong dependency on one another, in a very unhealthy and irritable relationship.