Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are two minor, characters in Hamlet, and friends of the young Hamlet from university in Germany. Their part in the story begins when they are summoned by King Claudius to spy and report on the “strange behavior” of the prince, and ends when they die in a counterplot set up by Hamlet himself. Their part in the play is brief and comical at best, and even their deaths are given no worthy development or climax, mentioned only at the end of the play. They play a significant role in the development of other characters as well as in setting a central tragic theme of the play.
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern effectively act as foils against Horatio. He plays the role of the good and faithful friend, while Rosencrantz and Guildenstern show false friendship and treachery. Shakespeare uses this contrasting of characters to explore the true meaning behind each relationship. This is seen in when, Horatio came by himself to Elsinore, while Rosencrantz and Guildenstern had to be sent for. Hamlet quickly was able to detect this despite all three of them share the same status as Hamlet’s friends. Although they share the same status towards Hamlet, it’s clearly seen as they are inverse of one another.
True friends should always come to the …show more content…
There is a political and moral corruption at every turn in the play, the ruling classes are corrupt and exploit the poor; Claudius murders his brother to be crowned king, and also marries his wife without giving much afterthought and room for mourning. In fact, it is this act of incest that ultimately pushes Hamlet to vengeance that would “set it right” (Shakespeare 42). The deaths of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, is because of the same sin as the treacherous King Claudius who betrays his brother for his own
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern effectively act as foils against Horatio. He plays the role of the good and faithful friend, while Rosencrantz and Guildenstern show false friendship and treachery. Shakespeare uses this contrasting of characters to explore the true meaning behind each relationship. This is seen in when, Horatio came by himself to Elsinore, while Rosencrantz and Guildenstern had to be sent for. Hamlet quickly was able to detect this despite all three of them share the same status as Hamlet’s friends. Although they share the same status towards Hamlet, it’s clearly seen as they are inverse of one another.
True friends should always come to the …show more content…
There is a political and moral corruption at every turn in the play, the ruling classes are corrupt and exploit the poor; Claudius murders his brother to be crowned king, and also marries his wife without giving much afterthought and room for mourning. In fact, it is this act of incest that ultimately pushes Hamlet to vengeance that would “set it right” (Shakespeare 42). The deaths of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, is because of the same sin as the treacherous King Claudius who betrays his brother for his own