What changes take place in the tree at the beginning of Act II of ‘Waiting for Godot’? [British Drama (2018-19) Assignment 2]

 In Act II of Samuel Beckett's play "Waiting for Godot," the tree that stands in the center of the stage undergoes several changes. These changes are significant in the play, as they serve as a metaphor for the characters' own sense of futility and decline.

When the play begins, the tree is leafless and barren, much like the landscape around it. However, as the act progresses, the tree begins to sprout leaves, and eventually produces a few gnarled and withered fruits. This growth and decay of the tree can be seen as a reflection of the characters' own stagnation and decline.

At one point in Act II, Estragon (Gogo) tries to climb the tree to hang himself, but finds that the tree is now much taller than it was in Act I. This sudden growth of the tree can be seen as a reflection of the characters' own inability to escape their predicament, no matter how much they try.

The changing state of the tree also serves as a metaphor for the passing of time and the cyclical nature of existence. As the tree grows and decays, it suggests that life is a continuous cycle of birth, growth, and death, with no real sense of progress or change.

Overall, the changing state of the tree in Act II of "Waiting for Godot" is a significant element of the play's symbolism, reflecting the characters' own sense of stagnation and decline, as well as the cyclical nature of existence.