nature of illusions. He suggests that one can turn an .
extraordinary happening into an ordinary one at will. His .
example is a unicorn: if one man sees it, he is amazed, but if a .
whole crowd sees it, they simply assume it is a horse with an .
arrow in its forehead. As Guildenstern continues, his friend .
realizes that a band is, in fact, coming.
Scene 2: Meeting the Players .
Summary .
A band of players ("tragedians"-- actors, musicians, clowns, .
etc.) appears in the woods. The spokesman for the group, the .
Player, is thrilled to have an audience, even if it is just two .
people. He tells Rosencrantz and Guildenstern that they are .
actors who perform high tragedy-- battles, ghosts, romance, etc. .
He also implies that they might offer more services, of a sexual .
nature, for a higher price. He tries to interest Rosencrantz, who .
is far too innocent to understand what is going on. Nevertheless, .
Rosencrantz begins to haggle with the Player over a price. .
The Player discusses the declining morals of todays world, all .
the while attempting to make a deal. When he finally realizes .
that Rosencrantz will never catch on to what he is being offered, .
the Player gives up, and is about to leave when Guildenstern .
begins to question him and his troupe. He seemingly .
understands that the Player is offering him prostitutes but when .
the Player tries to seal the deal (a private performance of "The .
Rape of the Sabine Women, or rather woman, or rather Alfred") .
Guildenstern is disturbed. .
When the Player tries to push him into accepting the offer, .
Guildenstern "smashes" him across the face. The Player seems .
used to this sort of treatment, and when Guildenstern cries that .
he wishes he could receive another-worldly sign of some kind, .
not just an encounter with a "comic pornographer," the Player .
agrees quietly. He begins to leave again, but then Rosencrantz .
comes forward, seeming finally to understand what the Player is .
really selling.
