Similarities Between Rosencrantz And Guildenstern

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern: Friends or Foes Although Rosencrantz and Guildenstern may seem to be turning their backs on their friend, their actions show that they are trying to help Hamlet based on their knowledge of his situation. In my opinion Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are victims of circumstance. They think that they are traveling over to see a long lost friend and help him with his troubles. When greeting Rosencrantz and Guildenstern the king tempts them by saying, “I entreat you both that, being of so young days brought up with him and sith so neighbored to his youth and havior, That you vouchsafe your rest here in our court some little time, so by your companies to draw him on to pleasures, and to gather so much as from occasion you may glean, whether aught to us unknown afflicts …show more content…
There is no way of knowing whether or not Rosencrantz and Guildenstern knew about the note that told the people in England to kill Hamlet. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, from what I have read, could very well think they are going with Hamlet to England to get him away from Denmark, and to help him. The play gives no such indication as to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern’s knowledge on the note. Therefore we can assume that they do not know about it and are just with Hamlet so he did not freak out about being sent to England alone. Some may argue that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern knew about the note from the beginning and were actually going with Hamlet to make sure he was killed in England. They could argue that they had turned their backs on him and were on the king’s side now. This would make sense although nowhere in the play does it talk about their knowledge of the note. Therefore, one can not say that they knew about the note and were purposely leading Hamlet to his death. If they didn’t know about the note then the only reason they would be going to England with him would be to keep him