In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the characters Rosencrantz and Guildenstern play pivotal roles in King Claudius’s schemes to manage the increasingly erratic behavior of Prince Hamlet. These courtiers, once friends of Hamlet, are manipulated by Claudius to serve his own ends, which ultimately leads to their downfall. This article delves into the intricacies of Claudius’s commands to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, exploring their significance in the play and their impact on the broader narrative.
Claudius’s Motivation
King Claudius, having ascended to the throne through the murder of his brother, King Hamlet, is deeply concerned about maintaining his power. Prince Hamlet’s melancholic and erratic behavior, following the ghostly revelation of his father’s murder, poses a significant threat to Claudius. To uncover the cause of Hamlet’s apparent madness and to keep him under control, Claudius enlists Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, former schoolmates of Hamlet.
Summoning Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
Claudius’s decision to involve Rosencrantz and Guildenstern is strategic. In Act II, Scene 2, he welcomes them to Elsinore, expressing his appreciation and subtly revealing his intentions:
“Something have you heard Of Hamlet’s transformation; so call it, Sith nor the exterior nor the inward man Resembles that it was. What it should be, More than his father’s death, that thus hath put him So much from the understanding of himself, I cannot dream of: I entreat you both, That, being of so young days brought up with him, And since so neighbour’d to his youth and haviour, That you vouchsafe your rest here in our court Some little time: so by your companies To draw him on to pleasures, and to gather, So much as from occasion you may glean, Whether aught to us unknown afflicts him thus, That, open’d, lies within our remedy.”
Claudius’s request is couched in concern for Hamlet’s well-being, but it is clear that his primary aim is to use Rosencrantz and Guildenstern as spies.
The Role of Spies
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, eager to please the king, agree to the task without hesitation. Their initial approach to Hamlet is friendly and nostalgic, but it quickly becomes apparent to Hamlet that they are acting under Claudius’s orders. In Act II, Scene 2, Hamlet confronts them, saying:
“Were you not sent for? Is it your own inclining? Is it a free visitation? Come, come, deal justly with me: come, come; nay, speak.”
Their inability to conceal their true purpose erodes any trust Hamlet may have had in them. He realizes they are pawns in Claudius’s game, leading to his famous line:
“Denmark’s a prison.”
The Mousetrap Play
As the play progresses, Claudius’s reliance on Rosencrantz and Guildenstern increases. In Act III, Scene 1, they are tasked with discovering the root of Hamlet’s behavior and are present during the staging of “The Mousetrap,” the play-within-a-play designed to gauge Claudius’s guilt. Although they do not directly understand the full implications of the play, their presence serves to underline their continued involvement in Claudius’s machinations.
The England Trip
Claudius’s ultimate command to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern marks a turning point in the play. After the accidental killing of Polonius, Claudius decides to send Hamlet to England, ostensibly for his own safety but with the hidden agenda of having him executed upon arrival. Claudius entrusts Rosencrantz and Guildenstern with a letter to the English king, containing instructions for Hamlet’s execution. In Act IV, Scene 3, Claudius justifies this decision:
“Do it, England; For like the hectic in my blood he rages, And thou must cure me.”
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, oblivious to the true nature of their mission, comply without question.
The Downfall of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
The journey to England is fraught with peril. Hamlet discovers the letter and, in a cunning move, alters it to order the deaths of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern instead. Their fate is sealed by their blind loyalty and lack of insight into Claudius’s true intentions. In Act V, Scene 2, Hamlet reveals their demise to Horatio:
“Why, man, they did make love to this employment; They are not near my conscience; their defeat Does by their own insinuation grow.”
Themes and Analysis
The involvement of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern in Claudius’s schemes highlights several key themes in Hamlet:
- Loyalty and Betrayal: Their shift from friends to spies exemplifies the betrayal that permeates the court of Elsinore.
- Manipulation and Deception: Claudius’s use of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern underscores his manipulative nature and willingness to use others to secure his power.
- Fate and Agency: The duo’s lack of awareness and agency leads to their tragic end, serving as a cautionary tale about the consequences of blind obedience.
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern’s roles in Hamlet are crucial in advancing the plot and deepening the play’s exploration of loyalty, manipulation, and fate. Commanded by Claudius to spy on Hamlet and ultimately deliver him to his death, they become unwitting instruments of the king’s tyranny. Their tragic end serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers of unquestioning loyalty and the ruthless nature of political intrigue. Through their story, Shakespeare masterfully weaves a narrative that continues to resonate with audiences, highlighting the timeless themes of power and betrayal.