Endgame

by

Samuel Beckett

The Bloody Handkerchief Symbol Analysis

The Bloody Handkerchief Symbol Icon

The bloody handkerchief that Hamm wears over his face at the beginning and end of the play is a representation of the futile ways that he tries to avoid suffering even though he knows that such misery is inevitable. As soon as the audience sees Hamm, they are met with the image of this handkerchief, which is covered in blood. However, it is never made clear where this blood has come from, though it’s obvious that it’s Hamm’s. What’s interesting, though, is that Hamm primarily uses the handkerchief throughout the play to wipe his glasses, never actually using it to wipe away any blood. In this regard, it becomes part of the odd routine he follows, as he takes off his black glasses, wipes them, and then puts them on again. This is bizarre considering that Hamm is blind and cannot see out of his eyeglasses regardless of if they’re clean—given this, using the handkerchief seems to be a habit that reminds him of when he could see, rather than a practical action. And, for whatever reason, Hamm seems to have a certain fondness for the handkerchief, affectionately calling it “old stancher” (presumably because it has stanched the flow of blood from his body at one point or another). In fact, he addresses the handkerchief at the very end of the play, saying, “Old stancher! [Pause.] You…remain.” In this way, Hamm develops an attachment to the handkerchief. In turn, the handkerchief symbolizes not only his desperate attempt to keep suffering at bay (effectively “stanching” it), but also his desire to have something upon which he can rely.

The Bloody Handkerchief Quotes in Endgame

The Endgame quotes below all refer to the symbol of The Bloody Handkerchief. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Meaning, Narrative, and Engagement Theme Icon
).
Endgame Quotes

HAMM: […] Can there be misery—

[he yawns]

—loftier than mine? No doubt. Formerly. But now?

[Pause.]

My father?

[Pause.]

My mother?

[Pause.]

My…dog?

[Pause.]

Oh I am willing to believe they suffer as much as such creatures can suffer. But does that mean their sufferings equal mine? No doubt.

Related Characters: Hamm (speaker), Clov
Related Symbols: The Bloody Handkerchief
Page Number: 9
Explanation and Analysis:
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The Bloody Handkerchief Symbol Timeline in Endgame

The timeline below shows where the symbol The Bloody Handkerchief appears in Endgame. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Endgame
Meaning, Narrative, and Engagement Theme Icon
Time, Progress, and Stasis Theme Icon
...off of Hamm, who is sitting in an apparent state of sleep with a bloodied handkerchief draped over his face. Hamm wears a dressing-gown, a hat, and a whistle that hangs... (full context)
Misery and Suffering Theme Icon
...which he carries away. As soon as Clov is gone, Hamm yawns and takes the handkerchief off his face, affectionately calling it “old stancher” and using it to wipe his black... (full context)
Meaning, Narrative, and Engagement Theme Icon
Time, Progress, and Stasis Theme Icon
Companionship, Dependency, and Compassion Theme Icon
When Clov exits, Hamm refolds his handkerchief, saying that things are progressing toward an end. Putting the handkerchief in his pocket, he... (full context)
Meaning, Narrative, and Engagement Theme Icon
Time, Progress, and Stasis Theme Icon
Companionship, Dependency, and Compassion Theme Icon
...off his hat, putting it on again, taking off his glasses, wiping them with his handkerchief, and putting them on again. He then tosses his dog (which he has been holding... (full context)