Endgame- the term originates from chess.

There comes the moment in the party of chess

when everything is determined. The players know how it is going to end. There is chess
symbolism throughout the play. General idea is that the play takes place after some kind
of catastrophy, and the humanity is vanished, it no longer exists apart from these two
characters that live in a shelter. The end of the world, history, humanity and it ends with
these two figures. Names are also symbolical. Ham in the Old Testament is the son of
Noah. With Noah we have hope of renewal, whereas here there is no such hope. the
scenario is hopeless. The characters are like hammer and nail. Clove is the one who
suffers and Hamm is the one who exploits him and oppresses him. Their relationship is
destructive. It is the relationship of a master and a servant. Chess symbolism is evident in
the way they move on the stage. Hamm is immobile like the king and Clove is like a
knight always moving, repetitive, ridged movement. The most important issue is the issue
of the endgame of humanity. But it is never really the end. It is like these two characters
are afraid of ending the game, afraid of death, of finality and at the same time they long
for the game to end. Some critics interpret the setting of the stage which is bare with grey
light and two high windows as a skull, as the play is taking place in someones head. Also
we have Hamms parents living in dustbins so it might be said that our parents continue
to live in our mind. The first time we encounter Hamm it is an image of suffering. The
blood stained handkerchief on Hamms head suggest the notion of pain. Also he asks for
painkillers. We have a paradox in the play- the desire to put an end to this game and at the
same time the fear of the end. The metaphor of grains- an impossible heap. At some point
human mind is not capable of perceiving individual grains but starts perceiving them as a
heap. Clove longs for this day when he will no longer perceive individual days but see
life as a whole, when fragments of life would be turned into a meaningful whole. This
moment when you can observe the final product never comes. You can never see life as
something finished and meaningful. Why cant clove leave? Life outside is not possible.
The conditions are such so he has to stay in Hamms shelter. Hamm provides food and
shelter and clove provides service. They would die without each other. There is a sort of
interdependency but a destructive one.
Nagg and Nell- the story of the tailor. Here we have a current motive of things that arent
finished. The trousers are never finished. There is a motive of never ending delays. Nag
and Nell recall rowing in a boat after their engagement. They were in love. They discuss
why Nell laughed at the story Nagg told. She was happy and in love. When she looked at
the water she could see all the way to the bottom. Clear water means deep vision of
meaningful life when experiencing love. Nell dies and in that way she is the only
character allowed to leave the scene. Other characters are trapped in this never ending
endgame. Her last words are dessert which might mean that it is how they live, in a desert
without water, without vision and spiritual refreshness.
Hamms story of the begger asking for some food. Hamm symbolizes a rich proprietor he
has shelter and food. In the story the rich owner enjoys his possessions but lacks
compassion. The story takes place on Christmas when ppl should show the spirit of
generosity while Hamm shows the exact opposite.Hamm does not think in terms of
human emotions and connections. Hamm thinks in rational terms giving reason why he
should not feed the boy. He cannot find any meaning in life you are on earth and there is

no cure for that. You are mortal part of a biological cycle of life and whatever you do
you will die. In his childhood, Hamm was denied love and compassion. Clove and Hamm
say I loved you once. This might suggest that there is potential for a kind of meaningful
relationship of friendship. At the end of the play clove looks through the telescope, and
although there is usually nothing outside now he spots a small boy. This could be a new
servant for Hamm
since Clove is getting ready to leave. For clove this might mean that life outside is
possible after all. At this moment in the play there is a possibility that Clove might leave.
Clove delivers a speech on the request of Hamm to ponder in his heart. The speech is full
of common phrases and we see that in the speech friendship, beauty, order seem without
meaning to Clove. Clove has a mentality of a servant, he has lost all vitality he wouldnt
know how to be free and live outside. His life consists of repetition of basic functions. In
the end we do not know if he left.