HAMM:Scoundrel! Why did you engender me?NAGG:I didn't know.HAMM:What? What didn't you know?NAGG:That it'd be you.{Pause.}
In this excerpt from Samuel Beckett's "Endgame," the character Hamm confronts Nagg, expressing a deep sense of betrayal and questioning the purpose of his existence. Hamm's use of the word "scoundrel" highlights his frustration and suggests a feeling of hopelessness regarding the circumstances of his creation. He demands to understand why Nagg brought him into the world, reflecting on the existential theme of despair that permeates the play.
Nagg's response is vague and confused, essentially indicating his lack of foresight when he became a parent. This exchange underscores the tension between creator and creation, raising profound questions about responsibility and the unpredictability of life. The pause in their dialogue emphasizes the weight of unspoken fears and regrets, pointing to the bleakness of their situation and the philosophical inquiries central to Beckett’s work.