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Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, long time school fellows of Hamlet. Hamlet’s friends who would stand by him through thick and thin, or loyal subjects of a treacherous king that would turn on Hamlet at the drop of a hat. They are asked to the castle by the king and queen to find out what is troubling Hamlet. They are used by Claudius. And they bring Hamlet to his death.



Rosencrantz and Guildenstern make their first appearance in the play when they are summoned by the king and queen. They are long time friends of Hamlet, and because of this the king and queen believe that they can find out what is troubling Hamlet. When they first appear we see them as loyal subjects to the king and as caring friends of Hamlet. When they first speak to Hamlet in the play he tells them that “Denmark’s a prison.” Or rather it is to him because of his bad dreams. When asked why they are at Elsinore. They say, “To visit you, my lord; no other occasion.” They do not tell Hamlet that they were sent for by the king, or that they are here to find out what troubles him. However Hamlet knows that they were sent for, and when he asks them directly they hesitate before they answer.





Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are used by the king. They betray the trust of Hamlet by working for the king in return for a hefty reward. Hamlet is no longer fooled by their false friendship. He sees them as enemies, as “adders fanged”. It is at this point in the play that we see Rosencrantz and Guildenstern as loyal subjects as his majesty and not as friends of Hamlet. Hamlet describes them as, “[a sponge] that soaks up the King’s countenance, his rewards, his authorities. But such officers do the King best service in the end. He keeps them, like an ape, in the corner of his jaw; first mouthed, to be last swallowed. When he needs what you have gleaned, it is but squeezing you and, sponge, you shall...