Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, two of Hamlet’s friends from Wittenberg, agree to spy on him at the behest of King Claudius and Queen Gertrude. This decision is driven by a combination of financial gain, fear for their own safety, and loyalty to the king.
Key Facts
- Financial gain: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are willing to spy on Hamlet for financial gains. They are motivated by the opportunity to benefit financially from their actions.
- Fear for their own safety: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern agree to spy on Hamlet because they believe he is a threat to the life and throne of King Claudius. They see Hamlet as a potential danger to the stability of Denmark and agree to help remove him from the country to keep it safe.
- Loyalty to the king: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern support Claudius because they are loyal to him. They see it as their duty to serve the king and carry out his orders, even if it means spying on their friend.
Financial Gain
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are motivated by the opportunity to benefit financially from their actions. They are promised rewards by Claudius if they can successfully spy on Hamlet and report back to him. This financial incentive is a significant factor in their decision to betray their friend.
Fear for Their Own Safety
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern also agree to spy on Hamlet because they believe he is a threat to the life and throne of King Claudius. They see Hamlet as a potential danger to the stability of Denmark and agree to help remove him from the country to keep it safe. This fear for their own safety is a powerful motivator for them to turn against Hamlet.
Loyalty to the King
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern support Claudius because they are loyal to him. They see it as their duty to serve the king and carry out his orders, even if it means spying on their friend. This loyalty to the king is a key factor in their decision to betray Hamlet.
In conclusion, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern’s decision to spy on Hamlet is motivated by a combination of financial gain, fear for their own safety, and loyalty to the king. These factors lead them to betray their friend and become complicit in Claudius’s plot to remove Hamlet from Denmark.
Sources
- https://study.com/academy/lesson/rosencrantz-and-guildenstern-meaning-quotes-summary.html
- https://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/hamlet/section5/
FAQs
Why were Rosencrantz and Guildenstern sent to spy on Hamlet?
King Claudius and Queen Gertrude sent Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to spy on Hamlet because they were concerned about his erratic behavior and his apparent inability to recover from his father’s death. They hoped that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern would be able to cheer Hamlet out of his melancholy, or at least discover the cause of it.
What did Rosencrantz and Guildenstern hope to gain by spying on Hamlet?
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern hoped to gain financial rewards from Claudius if they could successfully spy on Hamlet and report back to him. They were also motivated by fear for their own safety, as they believed Hamlet was a threat to the life and throne of Claudius.
Why did Rosencrantz and Guildenstern agree to spy on their friend?
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern agreed to spy on Hamlet because they were loyal to Claudius and saw it as their duty to serve the king. They also feared for their own safety, as they believed Hamlet was a threat to the stability of Denmark.
What information did Rosencrantz and Guildenstern report back to Claudius about Hamlet?
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern reported back to Claudius that Hamlet was indeed mad, but that his madness seemed to be caused by his love for Ophelia. They also told Claudius that Hamlet was planning to put on a play that would depict the murder of Claudius’s brother, King Hamlet.
How did Hamlet react when he learned that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern were spying on him?
Hamlet was angry and disappointed when he learned that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern were spying on him. He accused them of being false friends and of betraying his trust.
What happened to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern after they were caught spying on Hamlet?
Claudius sent Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to England with a letter ordering their execution. However, the letter was intercepted by pirates, and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern were eventually returned to Denmark.
What was Hamlet’s ultimate fate?
Hamlet was killed in a duel with Laertes, the brother of Ophelia. He was poisoned by Laertes’s sword, which had been tipped with poison by Claudius.
What is the significance of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern’s betrayal of Hamlet?
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern’s betrayal of Hamlet is significant because it shows the lengths to which Claudius is willing to go to maintain his power. It also highlights the dangers of loyalty and the importance of trust.