Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead

by Tom Stoppard

Have a question? eNotes editors are standing by to help you.

What is the major dramatic question in "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead"?

imcute

Student

College - Freshman

What question has been pursued throughout the play is answered in the moment of climax?

Posted by imcute on March 18, 2007 at 6:04 AM and tagged with dramatic question, rosencrantz and guildenstern are dead

Rate this question:

» Flag as inappropriate
Message imcute

Share this question:

3 Answers | add yours

janeyb

Associate Editor

I would say that Fate is the dramatic question if Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead, and it is that question that follows and leads the story. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern have to die....

(The entire answer is 116 words.)

This is an expert answer, written by an eNotes editor. To read the entire answer, please join eNotes.

Posted by janeyb on March 19, 2007 at 12:52 AM

Rate this answer:

» Flag as inappropriate
Message janeyb

nedsneebly

Student

College - Junior

eNoter

To reply to the other answer, fate is not the premise of the play, the premise is that we choose are own fate, at the end Rosencrantz says, " there was a point, where we could of said no, but I don't remember..." .The point is Hamlet asks three times, were you sent for? They avoid it and then they finally confess that they were sent for. They loose Hamlet's trust right then. Then when their on the boat they could of told Hamlet that he was being sent to England to be killed, but they didn't. In the end they decided their own fate by being " neutral to their will and matter." 

Posted by nedsneebly on July 13, 2007 at 9:01 AM

Rate this answer:

» Flag as inappropriate
Message nedsneebly

jeff-hauge

Teacher

High School - 11th Grade

Associate Editor, Debater, Educator

The relationship between the audience and the players is also investigated. I believe that Stoppard is focusing on both the role of fate but also the problem of art. The artist/player/playwright...

(The entire answer is 171 words.)

This is an expert answer, written by an eNotes editor. To read the entire answer, please join eNotes.

Posted by jeff-hauge on January 8, 2008 at 2:04 AM

Rate this answer:

» Flag as inappropriate
Message jeff-hauge

Join for free to answer this question

Join a community of thousands of dedicated teachers and students.

Already a member? Sign in » JOIN eNOTES

Top Tags in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead

See all »

Following Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead

See all »

lmetcalf

Editor, Debater, Expert, Educator, Dickens, The Bard

41,842 points

jeff-hauge

Associate Editor, Debater, Educator

5,052 points

nedsneebly

eNoter

124 points

sfwriter

Associate Editor, Expert, Scribe, Dickens, The Bard

10,628 points

amy-lepore

Editor Emeritus, Debater, Expert, Educator, Whitman, Dickens, The Bard

73,615 points