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Interpretation in hamlet
Interpretation in hamlet
"hamlet" rosencrantz and guildenstern character analysis essay
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Rosencrantz and Guildenstern as the Fools of Hamlet
In William Shakespeare's Hamlet, Prince Hamlet replaces the letter that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are carrying to England with a forgery of his own making, 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 seem 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 King and Queen to spy on Hamlet and learn why he "puts on this confusion" (III, i.2). While some are fooled by Hamlet's 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 even 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...
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...let's warning. Either way, they are indeed fools and they die a fool's death in the end. They carry in the form of a letter, the king's 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 king's 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 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.
In their case, it is Hamlet 's intention to make sure Rosencrantz and Guildenstern 's plan works against them. Since Rosencrantz and Guildenstern’s mission is to make sure that Hamlet goes to England to be killed, Hamlet takes it upon himself to ensure their heads are on the chopping block, not his. Hamlet does this by taking the letter that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are going to give to the king of England and replacing it. The letter that Hamlet replaces it with says that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are the ones to be killed. Since Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are out of the picture this allows for Hamlet to return to Denmark to continue his plot of revenge on the King. When Hamlet returns back to Denmark Horatio asks Hamlet if he feels that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern’s deaths are a burden to him. Hamlet replies, “Why, man, they did make love to this employment. / They are not near my conscience. Their defeat / Does by their own insinuation grow” (Shakespeare 5.2.64-66). Since Hamlet is back in Denmark, this allows for Laertes to attempt to gain revenge on the murderer of his
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Fortunately for Hamlet, Claudius' deceit fails. This deceit, however, still does contribute to the eventual downfall of Hamlet. Aboard the ship to England, Hamlet discovers Claudius' message being sent by Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Hamlet explains later, "Groped I to find out them, [Rosencrantz and Guildenstern] had my desire, fingered their packet, and in fine withdrew.
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Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, false friends of Hamlet who succumb to Claudius' corruptness, serve as a distinct contrast to the loyal friendship that Horatio shares with Hamlet. Voltimand is used to contrast Polonius' often comic verbosity. While Polonius dresses up all his speeches with the language of the court, Voltimand is able to give his entire report on Fortinbras in a matter of seconds. The most powerful foil in the play is between Laertes and Hamlet. Upon hearing of the death of his father, Laertes becomes enraged, and seeks immediate vengeance; he does not delay, and acts instantaneously.
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Hamlet does not have much time to mull over his choices, for time is not on Hamlet's side. The king has his own plans to be rid of Hamlet. He sends Hamlet with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to England for “My head (to) be struck off”(V.ii.27). Hamlet revises the sentencing papers, fully aware that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern would be executed instead.
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According to Machiavelli, the pursuit of all things regarded as virtuous and praiseworthy will only lead to the prince's ruin. This is completely true in the case of Hamlet, because he is on a quest to avenge his father's death. The battle between good and evil is constantly in the forefront of Hamlet's mind, as he wavers between acting civil or getting revenge outright. In the beginning, Hamlet struggles to remain good at all times, but this causes him extreme anguish. Hamlet is an honest man, who grieves for his father. He suffers because of the dishonesty of the others in the court, especially his mother and his uncle, and later, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Hamlet is able to see through them all, and realize that they're dishonest. He speaks these words to Guildenstern: "Anything but to th' purpose. You were sent for, and there is a kind of confession in your looks, which your modesties have not craft enough to colour. I know the good King and Queen have sent for you." (Hamlet, II, ii., 278-280)
Hamlet was one of two inspirations for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. I believe the play Hamlet was a little absurd, especially in the extreme role vengeance played, and how almost every character died in the end. Nothing was really accomplished in the play Hamlet, except how Fortinbras reclaimed his land.
For Guildenstern and Rosencrantz to betray Hamlet the way they did is utterly despicable. Especially considering that their taking the orders from Claudius. Claudius turns out to be quite a good lire, and shows his skill of being able to manipulate people, into doing what he wants. "Welcome, dear Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Moreover that we much did long to see you, the need we have to use you did provoke our hasty sending". ( II;ii; 1-4). Since Rosencrantz and Guildenstern spied on Hamlet, and brought back the fact that he is mad to Claudius. Claudius could then figure out Hamlet’s next move, and counter act it with his own. " Was not like madness. There’s something in his soul." ( III; i; 161). If Claudius hadn’t had Guildenstern or Rosencrantz to aid him in his efforts, I think Hamlet could have had a chance at survival.
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