Summary and Analysis: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead

Author: Tom Stoppard

Setting:  The play jumps around from an unknown forest (no-man’s land), Elsanor, in the stage in the Player’s trailer, and on a boat at sea.

Plot: Rosencrantz And Guildenstern Are Dead opens with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern in an unknown forest flipping a coin. They unmistakingly get heads every time. This is the first sight of the games/gambling motif present in the play. When they stop the game, they wonder how they got to where they were. Unable to recall any memories, they can only come up with the conclusion that they were sent for by a messenger. As they venture through the forest (no-man’s land) Rosencrantz and Guildenstern encounter a group of actors called the Tragedians, led by the Player.

All of a sudden, Ros and Guil are in Elsanor with Hamlet and Ophelia. Claudius mistakes the two men for one another as he explains he sent for them to try and figure out what is going on with Hamlet. In preparation for their talk with Hamlet, they play word games. One of them then pretended to be Hamlet while the other questioned him. They are unable to find insight as to why Hamlet has gone insane. They talk to Claudius and explain they have no clue as to why Hamlet went crazy. They continue to think about Hamlet, which leads them to pondering the idea of death. Ros and Guil are then invited to a play performed by the Tragedians. This play is the same one from Hamlet that shadows the affair between Claudius and Gertrude. During the play, they see characters that represent themselves die. These deaths foreshadow their death later in the play.

In the next scene, Claudius tells Ros and Guil they will be accompanying Hamlet to England. On the boat ride to England Rosencrantz and Guildenstern try to figure out where they are going and how everything has happened. As they talk about the future, the letter from Claudius to the king of England is opened. They read it and discover it says for the King of England to kill Hamlet. They decide that they have to deliver the letter. Hamlet, who overheard them reading the letter earlier, changes the letter with a different one. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern wake up to find that the letter instructs the King of England to instead execute the two of them instead. Horrified, the characters try to figure out how life has come to this before the scene ends. Horatio ends the play with the speech he gives at the end of Hamlet.

Significant Characters:

Rosencrantz: Childhood friend of Hamlet who was called to Esalnor to get details on Hamlet’s transformation. Right-hand man to Guildenstern.

Guildenstern: Childhood friend of Hamlet who was called to Esalnor to get details on Hamlet’s transformation. Right-hand man to Rosencrantz.

Player: Leader of the Tragedians. He presents a mysterious, god-like presence throughout the play with his accurate predictions of what is going to happen.

Alfred: One of the tragedians. A depressed man who is used in examples in all of the plays put on for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.

Hamlet: Prince of Denmark who went crazy after his father’s death and mother’s marriage to his uncle. He is the reason Rosencrantz and Guildenstern were called to Elsanor.

Claudius: King of Denmark- the man who called for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.

Narrator: Since this is a play, there is no narrator.

Quotes:

“Life is a gamble, at terrible odds- if it was a bet you wouldn’t take it.” –Player

-This quote encompasses the idea that the Player had some sort of control over the fate of Ros and Guil. It also showcases the motif of gambling and emphasizes one of the themes present in the book.

“Words, words. They’re all we have to go on.”

-This quote shows how Ros and Guil had no idea as to what was going on in their lives. They had no ability to change anything or remember anything.

Symbols/Motifs:

Death- Death is a common motif throughout the play. This motif symbolizes that fate is inevitable.

Falling/Stumbling/Clumsiness- Throughout the play Ros and Guil stumble, fall, trip, etc. very often. This goes along with the existentialism idea that people go through life this way.

Confusion/Loss of Memory- Ros and Guil are confused and don’t remember anything for the majority of the play. This goes along with an existentialism idea. It also shows their uncertainty and inability to control their own lives.

Games/Gambling- Games are a motif throughout the play. They show the chance in life. They also shadow how Ros and Guil have no control over their lives.

Theme: Life is random and predetermined.