Hamlet

In Hamlet, Rosencrantz is referred to as a "sponge" because he has soaked up all the benefits of Claudius's authority. In saying this, Hamlet wants his friend to know that he doesn't trust him and...

In Hamlet, Guildenstern refers to the "privates" of fortune as part of an exchange with Hamlet about his and Rosencrantz’s general well-being. To convey that they are doing pretty well, Guildenstern...

Hamlet returns to Denmark from England after being sent there by King Claudius with a letter ordering his execution. On the ship, Hamlet discovers the letter, rewrites it to order the execution of...

In Hamlet, the fates of Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and Polonius raise questions of morality and justification. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are manipulated and executed, reflecting the ruthlessness...

In Hamlet, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are probably not knowingly in on the plot to kill Hamlet. However, they do go along with King Claudius' request that they travel to England with a letter for...

Hamlet uses a metaphor to compare himself to a recorder when he accuses his former friends, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, of trying to manipulate him. They cannot play a simple instrument, and yet...

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern report to Claudius that Hamlet admits feeling distracted but does not disclose the cause of his confusion. Guildenstern describes Hamlet's behavior as "crafty madness,"...

In Shakespeare's Hamlet, Horatio serves as a true, loyal friend to Hamlet, contrasting sharply with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, who are deceptive and betray Hamlet by spying on him for King...

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern illustrate duplicity and Hamlet's isolation by serving Claudius's interests over Hamlet's. The Players allow Hamlet to confirm Claudius's guilt by reenacting King...

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern demonstrate loyalty to Claudius in Hamlet by obeying his request to investigate Hamlet's behavior. They attempt to gather information under the guise of friendship and...

Hamlet confronts Rosencrantz and Guildenstern by comparing their attempts to manipulate him to playing a musical instrument. He picks up a recorder and challenges Guildenstern to play it, then points...

In Act 3, Hamlet uses an extended simile involving a recorder to criticize Rosencrantz and Guildenstern for spying on him. He compares their attempts to manipulate him to playing a musical...

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are invited to Elsinore by King Claudius and Queen Gertrude to observe Hamlet and uncover the cause of his erratic behavior. Claudius is particularly interested in...

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern inform King Claudius that they have failed to determine the cause of Hamlet's erratic behavior, describing his "crafty madness" as evasive. They note Hamlet's interest in...

The interactions between the royal couple, Hamlet, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and Polonius in Hamlet highlight themes of deception and manipulation. The royal couple uses Rosencrantz and Guildenstern...

Motifs in "Hamlet" include revenge, madness, and appearance versus reality. The theme of revenge drives the plot as Hamlet seeks to avenge his father's murder. Madness, both real and feigned, is...

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern keep from Claudius the fact that Hamlet is only pretending to be mad. Despite being tasked by Claudius with uncovering the reason for Hamlet's strange behavior, they fail...