Rosencrantz and Guildenstern as the Fools of Hamlet Essay -- GCSE Cour

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern as the Fools of crossroads In William Shakespeares critical point, Prince Hamlet replaces the letter that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are carrying to England with a forgery of his own ma nance, thus sending these two men to their deaths. He does this without giving it a second thought and never suffers from any guilt or remorse for his actions. Considering that these two men were friends from his youth, this would at first glance have the appearance _or_ semblance to reflect poorly on his character. However, one must consider carefully the characters of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern before passing judgment on Hamlet. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are sent for by the queer and Queen to spy on Hamlet and learn why he puts on this confusion (III, i.2). While some are fooled by Hamlets act of insanity, the king is not. He is convinced that it is an act and, being a sly man himself, he suspects that Hamlet is up to something. Having obtained the throne through deceit and murder, he believes Hamlet capable of the same. While King Claudius is evil, he is not a fool and he would never have sent for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern if they were such close friends of Hamlet. They are take down told outright that they will be rewarded for their efforts (II, ii. 21-6). The very fact that they undertake this task for the king is proof enough of their lack of love and loyalty toward Hamlet. Despite their actions, Prince Hamlet gives them ample opportunity to show their loyalty by admitting that they were sent for and why. By showing so much reluctance, they show themselves to be allied with the king. Hamlet asks them to be even and direct with me, whether you were sent for or no. But after this direct question, Rosencrantz s... ...lets warning. Either way, they are indeed fools and they die a fools death in the end. They carry in the form of a letter, the kings command to have Hamlet beheaded upon his arrival in England. Hamlet switches the letter with a forgery and seals it with a likeness of the kings seal. The new letter orders the deaths of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, thus they handcarry their own death sentences to their executioners. A poetic justice is served to these unfaithful friends. Works Cited Frye, Northrop. 1991. Northrop Frye on Shakespeare London MacMillan. Girard, A theater of operations of Envy William Shakespeare New York Oxford University Press, 1991 Shakespeare, William. The Tradegy of Hamlet Prince of Denmark. New York Washington Square Press, 1992 Watts, Cedric. Hamlet Twayne New Critical Introduction to Shakespeare Boston Twayne, 1988.