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Essay / Question of the purpose of life in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, the predominant characters in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, are constantly defined by questioning their identity, their environment and what their purpose is presumed. This astonishing literary work written by Tom Stoppard shows the journey that the two characters (originating from Hamlet written by the famous English poet William Shakespeare) take to Denmark in the hope of helping Hamlet. But what is the purpose of their journey? Upon settling in Denmark, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern realize that their physical journey is about more than tangible movement. Rather, it represents the idea of how everything will eventually end, including life and time, so if everything is predetermined, what is the point? Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Rosencrantz and Guildenstern continually question their purpose in life, which ultimately leads to several conclusions that have no significance in relation to their purpose. Hamlet's old friends are often portrayed as opposed to each other, Rosencrantz is seen as immature, irresponsible, clumsy and comical while Guildenstern is solemn, curious and mature. We notice early on that several conversations they have are repetitive as Rosencrantz simply responds to Guildenstern's challenging questions with a statement or other question. From the gecko, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern flip a coin and make a bet each time. By surprise, Rosencrantz systematically wins by choosing heads ninety-three times in a row. Guildenstern is extremely confused and skeptical about the whole situation. Due to the law of probability which is defined by Merriam Webster as the measurable resemblance of something that occurs, Guildenstern is unable to accept the idea that it happens by chance while Rosencrantz has no problem with the situation. Essentially, they turn a silly coin toss into something with philosophical significance. From this drawing of lots, they begin to believe that it is futile because, in the end, nothing will make sense if everything is predetermined. Relentlessly, in a confused state of mind, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern question their purpose. The two men at Elsinore Castle begin to forget why they had come there, other than the fact that they had been summoned. The disorder of their memory brings them into a state of mind where reality is absurd. In search of answers, other questions arise. Before interacting with Hamlet, they try to play a game to determine what is happening and after speaking with the prince, he outwits the two fools. This brings us back to their original question: why are they there? We continually notice that other characters have difficulty telling Rosencrantz and Guildenstern apart, even to the point where they are so disoriented that they confuse their own names. Their journey continues and the question of their existence and their inevitable destiny always arises. Moreover, when the tragedians perform the famous tragedy Hamlet which reveals their destiny, they remain unconscious and confused. Although they recognize that two actors are acting in the same way, they are unable to connect the dots and, in reality, it is them in the play. Unable to recognize the meaning of the play, they continue to feel detached from their lives. From Rosencrantz and Guildenstern's perspective, they predicted the future with such precision, including the fall of the royal family, their own deaths, and the fate of several other protagonists. Only when they are about to face death by hanging.