In Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, Stoppard's presentation of the
             characters is different than Shakespeare's because we as readers are given more
             insight into who they are as characters. We feel more compassion for the two,
             especially as we realize their fate even before they do. Stoppard stimulates
             this feeling through Rosencrantz and Guildenstern's trying realization that
             they are only characters. In Hamlet, the two characters R and G play very
             minor roles. However, in Stoppard's depiction they finally have the spotlight.
             We get to know the two better than they know themselves. While Rand G are
             depicted very differently in the two plays, there are striking similarities in
             There are very few instances where we see R and G in action in Hamlet. However
             if we read carefully in the scenes where they do appear, we can get a good
             sense of how Shakespeare intended to use them. They are often confused with
             one another, and seem almost interchangeable throughout the play. In one
             scene, from Hamlet, we see the two respond in very distinguishable ways.
             However in a following scene, we see almost a reversal of personalities; "Both
             your majesties/pleasant and helpful to him" (2.2 27-39). Here we see the two
             react to the orders given to them by Claudius. R takes a very aggressive
             stance, almost matching the King's direct and threatening tone. He realizes
             what the king wants of the two of them and simply states that Claudius has the
             power to order what he wants of them and to basically tell the queen not to
             waste her time with flattering. G however takes a more passive stance, and
             like the Queen tries to extinguish what could be a hostile situation. He
             quickly concedes, going as far as to give up his life for whatever the king
             In a separate scene, however we see the two characters in opposite roles in
             ...