Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (Cyclopedia of Literary Characters)
At a glance:
- Author: Tom Stoppard
- First Published: 1967
- Type of Work: Play
- Type of Plot: Existentialism
- Time of Work: The Elizabethan period
- Setting: Denmark
- Genres: Existential literature, Drama, Problem play, Absurdist literature
- Subjects: Language or languages, Acting or actors, Communication, Religion, Denmark or Danish people, Sixteenth century, Existentialism, Drama or dramatists, Comedy, Mortality, Shakespeare, William, or Shakespearean plays
- Locales: Denmark
Characters Discussed
Rosencrantz, a well-dressed Elizabethan courtier, with hat, cloak, stick, and all, carrying a large leather moneybag and waiting for something, or someone, for reasons that he does not seem to understand. He and his comrade, Guildenstern, are enough alike to be confused with each other. In fact, he introduces himself as Guildenstern, not noticing the error until his companion calls a brief conference with him. In part, he, with Guildenstern, seems to mark time while waiting for a messenger who will advise him as to his function in the plot of William...
[The entire page is 606 words long]
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