Tom Stoppard wrote a play Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, which is a “’worm’s-eye view of Hamlet,’” presented from the perspectives of these two minor characters.” The title of the play, of course, comes from the announcement that “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead” at the end of the play, an announcement which seems minor given the deaths of all of the other characters by this point.  (V.ii.371).  Rosencrantz and Guildenstern never seem to be in control of their fate in Hamlet, and this is what Stoppard explores in his play.  They do not know what the letter contains that they are supposed to give Hamlet, yet because of this letter Hamlet has them executed.  Just as they have little control over their destiny, so Hamlet wonders about his own agency in his life, and indeed has difficulty making decisions, a hesitation to act which is the heart of the play.

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are supposedly friends of Hamlet, yet they agree to 'spy' on him so to speak in an effort to provide information to the King and Queen.  They are charged by the King to discover the cause of Hamlet's transformation in personality.  So, they play the part of friends while really betraying information to those Hamlet does not trust, namely Claudius and Gertrude.  Rosencrantz and Guildenstern even go as far as agreeing to take Hamlet to England to be killed so that he is no longer a threat to Claudius.

Although these two are billed as friends, Hamlet shows signs that he does not trust them.   After the appearance of the ghost of his murdered father, the marriage of his mother and uncle, and other disturbing events, Hamlet trusts very few people, and his 'good' friends are included.  He acts mad around them, but at times provides very lucid explanations/answers, such as when he accuses them of playing him like a pipe, that seem to show that he knows a lot more of what is going on than what he is given credit for.

Hamlet's suspicious attitude toward them is simply explained by the fact that he is being 'sold out' by these two who are supposed to be his close friends. 

What are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern's roles in the play Hamlet?

The play "Hamlet" draws heavily on the themes of betrayal and revenge. Hamlet, after encountering the ghost of his father, the former king, becomes entangled in seeking revenge against his uncle, the current king, both for having supposedly murdered his father and then married his former sister-in-law. In the midst of his struggles with grief, revenge, and possible insanity, Hamlet becomes noticeably troubled, leading the king and queen to send for Rosencratz and Guildenstern, two courtiers and childhood friends of Hamlet. They are called upon by the royal couple to unearth what is causing Hamlet's distress. Initially, Hamlet receives them fondly, referring to them as "My excellent good friends" in line 227. However, he quickly sees past their...

What do you think of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern's role in Hamlet? Whose side are they on, and where do you think they will end up?