Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (Acting Edition S.) (An Evergreen book)

by Tom Stoppard

[Amber (The Literary Phoenix)]

It’s been a really long time – almost a decade – since I’ve tried to decipher the hidden meanings behind a play. But I’m going to try! I’m pretty sure that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead is about … death. I suppose that shouldn’t be a revelation, since it’s in the title, but man I struggled with this one?

Honestly, this play just made me feel stupid. I feel like there must have been some exciting and deep conversation to be had about this play. Maybe it’s the sort of thing that’s a bit lost in translation? Maybe it’s better with group discussion and guidance? I know plays come across better when they have been seen and not read, but I actually had more trouble figuring out (what I thought) the point of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead was than any other play that comes to mind. But, like I said, it’s be a while?

Also, I don’t suppose it helped this used copy had copies notes on the backside of the front cover about modernism in theatre and the world of the play.

Okay, outside of the confusion about the characters (who were constantly trying to remember who was who and what was happening) I enjoyed the concept of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. I think it’s so cool that Stoppard took two minor characters out of Hamlet in order to explore the story more. It’s almost like fan fiction – as a reader, I know there’s been many times where I wanted to know more about a minor character, or else the story abandoned a storyline I really enjoyed and I wish I had gotten to learn more. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead is great for that. Especially if you’re a fan of Hamlet! It’s always cool to get more.

A lot of this play focused on philosophical conversation. There was talk about the meaning of death, the way other characters mourned, and the knowledge of mortality. The speeches were interesting to me. The idle, repetitive conversation was not. Again, this is something I think would probably come across better in the stage performance as opposed to just reading the lines.

I can see where this could be a good play, and I can see where it would be amusing in person. I don’t think this is the best one to translate to simply reading the play however. If you like Shakespeare, meaningful dialogue, and a smidge of comedy, I do recommend taking in a performance!