"A man talking sense to himself is no madder than a man talking nonsense not to himself."-Guildenstern Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead by Tom Stoppard Sometimes some books don't make sense to some people. It is completely natural to run into a book that is hard to follow. But, have you ever read a story that the characters don't even understand? Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are constantly in a state of confusion as they navigate through the events thrown into their path. They are at the mercy of the world. The problem is that they are in Denmark comforting their friend as he struggles with the murder of his father and his uncle marrying his mother. Sound familiar? Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are the same Rosencrantz and Guildenstern that were minor characters in William Shakespeare's Hamlet, the famous tragedy. This is the play that tells their story focusing on three main roles they had in Hamlet; meeting the tragedians, confronting Hamlet about his instability, and the boat ride with Hamlet to England. This play does not have a tragic tone like Hamlet. In an amusing story Stoppard has created a story for the poor unfortunate Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. These two characters are always confused and always together. They are the ultimate "bros". They argue a little, but their friendship remains. The play focuses on them, but another main character is born out of a minor character from Hamlet, The Player. To clarify he is not "The Playa"(gangster). He is the leader of the tragedians and is a mysterious character to seem to know exactly what is going on and what is going to happen to everyone in the castle including Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. This is predicted in the play that occurs later in the play. Even though Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead is based on Hamlet it isn't the main focus. The theme of fate. Can one control ones fate? "There must have been a moment, at the beginning, where we could have said – no. But somehow we missed it."
The play is delightful and filled with hilarious dialogue, witty quips, and games. For an example click here to see a clip from Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead the movie. Stoppard has created an entertaining play that is unique in style. If you can't explain why a coin can turn up eighty nine times in a row you should read this play.
