... him by sending for his long time friends Guildenstern and Rosencrantz. The royal couple has no suspicion in the beginning that the heir to the thrown of Denmark knows what treachery they have committed. When asked by King Claudius why his nephew seems to display "turbulent and dangerous lunacy," Rosenkrantz and Guildenstern reply, "He does confess he feels himself distracted; but from what cause ... he will by no means speak. Nor do we find him forward to be sounded, but with a crafty madness, keeps aloof-(41). The Prince of Denmark does confess there is something amiss ... unfortified...

• Word Count: 1514
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... 's "one defect" (his hesitancy and inability to take action), regardless of his other qualities (such as honor and integrity), will be the main reason why the play ends so tragically. Although we are supposed to suspect that "something is rotten in the state of Denmark," as Horatio puts it, from the start of the play, it is only when Hamlet talks with the ghost ... of his father in Act I Sc V that we realize the full extent of his uncle's treachery. When he first sees the ghost, Horatio and Marcellus try to restrain ... next supporting scene is Act III Sc I. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern...

• Word Count: 1952
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

... . She runs off in the other direction. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern watch the wordless scene, frozen, then Guildenstern begins to take action- -but, immediately, Claudius and Gertrude, the King and Queen of Denmark, enter the room. Claudius tells them that he is glad to see them; he sent for them abruptly because he needs them urgently. He mistakes Rosencrantz for Guildenstern, and it becomes clear that ... , while Guildenstern might know which one he is, Rosencrantz is pretty unsure. They adjust their clothes, self-conscious in front of the King, as he continues ... enters, and they pau...

• Word Count: 4316
• Approx Pages: 17
• Grade Level: High School

... people for not acting as nobly as he would like, the Player expects them to act badly. It doesn't bother him. Hamlet - A Friend of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, and Prince of Denmark. Since the death of his father the King, and the marriage of his uncle and mother, he has been depressed and crazed. While Hamlet's main character trait in Shakespeare's play is, perhaps, openness (he can ... minor characters from Shakespeare's Hamlet, and thus can never take them seriously. They are not people in search of meaning; they are characters in search of motivation. They ask for explanations and ...

• Word Count: 3860
• Approx Pages: 15
• Grade Level: High School

... place the blame after he avenges his father's death, or perhaps it is to capture the attention of certain characters so that he may find out exactly what has gone "rotten in Denmark." Though it sounds like a crazy idea, Hamlet is feigning madness in Shakespear's tragic play. It ... is certainly understandable for someone who has just lost their father, and gained a stepfather to suddenly go mad. However, some time passes before Hamlet is "mad." In fact, before he even begins showing signs of ... 212), hinting that he is catching on to Hamlet's act. Polonius sees a reason behind the madne...

• Word Count: 736
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School