The Last Hope

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Hamm is a ruler who fears to be alone; therefore he obligates his subjects to revolve around him, and he abandons the subjects when they are not needed anymore. Hamm, hoping that he becomes the spotlight, manipulates the thoughts of Clov and uses him throughout the play laboriously. Is a king really a king that has no supporter? When Clov questions why he serves Hamm, Hamm implies, “Perhaps it's compassion. [Pause.] A kind of great compassion” (2609). This is a superficial way of Hamm telling Clov that Clov is weak and dependent. As a result, Clov feels benevolent about his service towards Hamm. Hamm, hereby, represents the deceitful king that manipulates his subjects by telling them what they desire to hear. Even from a stuffed dog, Hamm continues to flaunt his sovereignty: “Is he gazing at me… to take him for a walk… Or as if he were begging me for a bone… Leave him like, standing there imploring me” (2596). Hamm portrays this dog as another subject that admires him, and such a fact helps prove of Hamm’s vanity. Similarly, though Hamm disregards Nagg, he demands Clov to “Wake him” (2599) up, for “I’ll give him a bon-bon” (2599). While showing off his dominance over others, Hamm also discloses his lonely side too. Most likely, Hamm “needs” Nagg and others to boast about his power; without them, Hamm holds no value of being the “king”. Thus, while it may seem like Hamm is controlling everyone, Hamm, himself, might be the powerless and the needy piece that requires attentions from other characters. Conversely, when someone attacks his title of king, which symbolizes his hope for power and attention, Hamm counters by stimulating the last humane side of that person.

In forcefully manipulating individuals to surrender to him, Hamm takes all the compassion and pity out of the individuals. Starting with Nagg, Hamm, knowing Nagg would not conform to him easily, delves into the earliest days of his life: “Scoundrel! Why did you engender me?” (2599). Though the scene may show that Hamm is blaming Nagg for his misfortune, Hamm is actually suggesting Nagg to feel horrible about his tragedy, and to take pity on Hamm. Hamm utilizes this master scenario thoroughly in the play in hopes of getting everyone to sympathize with him. With prophetic relish, Hamm advises to Clov that

“Yes, one day, you’ll know what is it, you’ll be like me, except that you won’t have anyone with you, because you won’t have had pity on anyone and because there won’t be anyone left to have pity on” (2594).

Talking about humanity in the post-apocalyptic setting, Hamm makes Clov ponder about his morals. In another word, Hamm indirectly threatens Clov to attend to him if he seeks for the same treatment in the future. In consequence, Clov feels bad about Hamm and answers, “I couldn't finish you” (2595) when Hamm offers his own life for the combination of the cupboard. Even at the verge of their mutual relationship in the end of the play, Hamm asks Clov to take pity on him: “Then let it end! With a bang! Of darkness! And me? Did anyone ever have pity on me? (2610). Clov asks Hamm to “Let’s stop playing!” (2610). but Hamm rejects the offer and demands Clov to have pity on him in the high hopes that Clov apologizes and fully submit to him. In this sense, Hamm knows when to lower himself with the excuse of his bodily impairment and employs this asset to manipulate others in the long term, drawing a demand and supply relationship. Similarly, Hamm discusses about the quality of compassion to bring forward the compassionate side of Clov. Based on the plot of the play, Hamm appears not to care sincerely about Clov. Hamm merely owns Clov because “There’s no one else” (2581). Thus, when Hamm proposes that “Perhaps it's compassion. [Pause.] A kind of great compassion” (2609) from Clov that drives Clov not to leave him, Hamm influences Clov to believe himself that he is a compassionate and a moral human being. Psychologically affected by Hamm’s shows, Clov unknowingly formulates a stronger devotion and responsibility to “supply” Hamm the consolation.

Overall, each character has his or her special longing that encourages him or her to associate with other characters, but if that “hope” gets discharged, the character secludes him- or herself and starts neglecting the others. Particularly, in accomplishing his goal of maintaining the statue of king, Hamm incorporates the traits of pity and compassion. As a result, a demand and supply kind of relationship forms between the tyrant king and the other characters, displaying the last sacrifices the pawns will make for the king in a soon-to-end chess game.