Rosencrantz and Guildenstern

Question 1

Act 2 Scene 2: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern obediently and easily play into Claudius’ plan

Answer 1

“Thanks Rosencrantz, and gentle Guildenstern… /Thanks Guildenstern, and gentle Rosencrantz.”

• social advancement is deemed more important than loyalty to their friend
• comic effect = passivity of R + G
• role as only puppets in Claudius’ plan

Question 2

A structuralist viewpoint of R + G

Answer 2

• From a structuralist viewpoint, their interchangeability and relative insignificance as characters in the play = they represent the court’s blind corruption
• they must be killed as they are both accessories to Claudius’ evil, and are emblematic of societal immorality, thus Hamlet’s conscious decision to have them killed is justified

Question 3

Hamlet’s realisation of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern’s betrayal

Answer 3

“Were you not sent for? Is it your own inclining? Is it a free visitation?”

• their betrayal = catalyst for Hamlet’s further decline into madness and mental isolation
• he muses the inevitability of court corruption consuming those he trusted as loyal friends with a sense of desperation
• rarely openly displays such raw and true emotion to other characters in the play

Question 4

(Gregory Doran) David Tennant is Hamlet.

Scene of Hamlet’s realisation of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern’s betrayal

Answer 4

• a cinematic approach of filming Rosencrantz and Guildenstern through the lens of a surveillance camera
• actors of R + G look directly at the camera
• this suggests that even at the pivotal moment of Hamlet’s realisation, their allegiance is still with Claudius.

Question 5

Guildenstern: “they live and…

Answer 5

Guildenstern appropriately expresses that they “live and feed upon your majesty”
- Hamlet is convinced that only social advancement and self-preservation is strived for

Question 6

A Marxist reading

- attempt to change social class

Answer 6

From a Marxist reading:

• R + G obey Claudius due to their social class and the attitudes of Claudius’ court steeped and driven by social hierarchy
• On the other hand, Hamlet radically converses with them on an equal level of social class, despite his royalty
• thf. actively protests against Claudius’ authority - forced to take role as revenge hero, leading to his tragic death.
• Similarly, R + G inevitably die as they try to advance themselves through Claudius
• in a Marxist lens, the attempt to change social class leads inevitably to death

Question 7

Hamlet expresses no guilt at his decision regarding R + G’s death

Answer 7

“They are not near my conscience”.

• Their betrayal catalysed Hamlet’s spiral into desolation, as he expresses no guilt
• This emphasises the deep impact of R + G’s disloyalty, further provoking his cynical perspective of humanity and futility of life

Question 8

Zeffirelli (1990) Mel Gibson = Hamlet

- Hamlet realises R+G’s deception

Answer 8

Hamlet: “Do you think I am easier to be played on than a pipe?” Shouts this whilst holding R/G
to a wall - v violent and rash actions

Question 9

Maxine Peake - Hamlet

Answer 9

• dressed in black leather jackets and sunglasses like punks??
• comic effect “Thanks Guildenstern and gentle rosencrantz” when Gertrude repeats, points out the correct names to Polonius