Comparing Rosencrantz And Guildenstern In Shakespeare's Hamlet

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“Believe in yourself and be true to yourself always.” We’ve been taught that no matter what, people should always be their true selves. From childhood to adults, personality defines how people see each other. What if someone decided to be true to themselves but ended up doing something bad in return? Claudius stopped at nothing to get what he wanted. Polonius was just crazy and tried to please the king. Then Rosencrantz and Guildenstern did whatever they were told and ended up murdered for it! Normally when people stay true to themselves it's assumed it's positive, but these characters deciding to stay true to themselves led to the deaths of others. Claudius is one of the best examples of a character staying true to themselves that has a …show more content…

Throughout the entire play they both are basically Claudius’ secondhand men. At different parts, they show up asking questions, giving requests by the king, or attempting to investigate a problem that Claudius told them to figure out. Hamlet brings up the fact that they are like sponges in the King's hand:
That I can keep your counsel and not mine own.
Besides, to be demanded of a sponge - what replication should be made by the son of a king?(4.2.10-12)
They are like trained dogs that do anything their master tells them to do. Hamlet was heading back to England, since the King was trying to get rid of him, and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern were sent after him to make sure that the plan was followed through. Claudius sent a letter to the King of England asking him to kill Hamlet as soon as he arrived. Hamlet found the letter and inserted Rosencrantz and Guildenstern’s names into the letter instead of his. The King of England got the letter and beheaded them as soon as they arrived, showing Claudius inadvertently got them killed as well.
And our affairs from England come too late.
The ears are senseless that should give us hearing
To tell him his commandment is

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