... however, exactly what Stoppard wanted: he has avoided coherence at all costs. The comic scenes undercut the solemn scenes, which undercut the absurd scenes. Hamlet considers committing suicide, then spits into the wind, hitting himself in the eye, then happily sends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to their deaths. In the ... course, also about these issues, but in a much less serious way. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are not two people trying to find meaning in their lives after a loss of faith, for example. They have never had any meaning, because they are essentially paper dolls. This is ...

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

... harmony, preventing anyone from losing or winning too much. Rosencrantz, meanwhile, talks randomly about strange scientific phenomenon, such as the fact that fingernails grow after death. Guildenstern becomes more and more tense, demanding what the first thing Rosencrantz remembers from today is. Finally Rosencrantz begins to follow the thread, crying ... they might be right, but he doesn't feel an instinctive attachment to either of them. Guildenstern understands: truth is such a constant in life that after a while you take it for granted--until you realize you don't know what's true an...

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