Language in "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead"

What Language?

100

What was the purpose of using Shakespearian language in the play, "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead"?

The purpose of using Shakespearian language was to allow the audience to connect that this play goes hand-in-hand with the play "Hamlet".

200

The language between Rosencrantz and Guildenstern creates a sense of confusion. What does this lead the readers to believe?

This leads the readers to believe that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are actually unaware in their own thoughts and ideas. They are never sure of anything, and question what is reality and what is fiction.

300

It is noticed that throughout the play, Stoppard goes back and forth between Shakespearian and Contempoary Language. Why did he choose to end the play in Shakespearian language, or was it a coincidence?

It was most certainly not a coincidence! Stoppard ended the play in Shakespearian language as this was the language of the time and setting. He used contemporary language between Ros and Guil to show that they didn't know reality from art. It is clear with the ending written as it is, that Ros and Guil were confused the whole time.

400

Why does Stoppard choose to use contemporary language throughout the play, instead of using Shakespearian language the whole time?

Using a mix of both languages, Stoppard is able to create the effect that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are confused. They are unable to speak the language of their time to each other, thus using a language that wasn't created until years later. This explains why when approached by someone using Shakespearian language, they answer in Shakespearian language. It is almost as if they forget they are from that time.

500

Stoppard uses language to give each character their own personality. Their personalities are clearly shown in their ideas of what a boat means. What are their 2 views, and how does it relate to the theme?

Rosencrantz believes that a boat is like death, as you're in it for the ride, and wonders if that is what death has in store. Guildenstern on the other hand says, "You don't have to worry about which way to go, or whether to go at all – the question doesn't arise, because you're on a boat, aren't you?" Showing his personality as quite care free, and the type who goes with the flow. This relates to the theme as it brings up the question how much free will a person has. The boat has a set destitnation that cannot be controlled; however, Ros and Guil are still free to move about the boat's deck.

Figurative Language

100

What can be implied from the metaphor, "It's the currency of living"? (Hint: Here, the Player is comparing currency to truth.)

It is implied that something that is originally seen as worthless, gains value as time goes by and as it is honored more. It is also implied that humans make their own truths, if enough people believe it, than it must be accepted as true.

200

Guildenstern describes death as a "....gap you can't see." What is Stoppard implying?

Stoppard uses Guildenstern as a way to get out that there is no control over death. This is seen by the way Guildenstern describes death as being invisible; again making the point that chance exists everywhere, as no one knows when they will die.

300

Similes are used throughout the play. Explain why the following would be considered important to the theme of the play: "...until like runaway carts they dragged to a hault." This was said by the player, comparing actors without an audience, to a cart without an owner.

The comparison serves to show that without anyone to support them, actors can not make a living, similar to a cart without an owner to push it in the right direction. In other words, the similarity is that neither can control their own fate; relating directly to the theme.

Killer Quotes

100

What is the subject in the quote said by Guildenstern? “I like the way they are contained. You don’t have to worry about which way to go, or whether to go at all”

Guildenstern is speaking about boats, and their ability to roam and drift, similar to the course of their journey so far.

200

Which character said this quote? “Deaths for all ages and occasions! Deaths by suspension, convulsion, consumption, incision, execution, asphyxiation and malnutrition! Climactic carnage, by poison and by steel-! Double deaths by duel-! Show-!” Also, what does this quote foreshadow?

The Player, who helps Ros and Guil question Reality vs. Illusion. This quote directly foreshadows the fate of not only the leads, Ros and Guil, but of King Hamlet (murdered from poison) and of Hamlet and Laertes (two deaths by one match).

300

Where in the play does the following quote get said: “Ah there’s life in me yet!”?

This quote occurs when Rosencrantz and Guildentsern realize that they are not actually dead, but instead on a boat. However, they have no idea that the boat will soon bring them to a final destination.

400

What has just happened to make Guildenstern say this? “No…no…not for us, no like that. Dying is not romantic, and death is not a game which will soon be over…Death is not anything…death is not…It’s the absence of presence, nothing more…the endless time of never coming back…a gap you can’t see, and when the wind blows through it, it makes no sound…”

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern had just recieved the knowledge that the letters had been switched, and instead of Hamlet being killed, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern have now been called to death.

500

What scenario are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern acting out when the following gets said, "“ We say- your majesty, we have arrived!"?

It would seem that this would be said when they first meet Claudius in Denmark; however, that is wrong. The quote is said when Ros and Guil plan what they are going to say to the King of England when they realize that the letters have been swtiched.

Dasterdly Devices

100

“Give us this day our daily cue” Question: What is the device used in this quote? And what is it implying?

Allusion. It is alluding towards the Bible and Christianity, as they are paying their respects to Hamlet and most importantly to the sea itself.

200

"No, no, no… Death is…not. Death isn’t. You take my meaning. Death is the ultimate negative, Not-being. You can’t not-be on a boat." What device is being used in the above quote?

Personification. Here we see that Stoppard is personifying death, that death is somehow actually living and controlling lives.

300

Guildenstern: “We can o what we like and say what we like to whomever we like, without restriction” Rosencrantz: “Within limits of course” Guildenstern: “Certainly within limits” What device is being used in this quote?

Irony is used here. Guildenstern just finishes saying that they are free to do as they please, and within seconds he admits that they are constrained to be free under certain restrictions.

400

Guildenstern: "What's it all about?" What is the hidden device used in this quote?

The device is a rhetorical question. In rhetorical questioning, a question is asked in the hope to obtain an answer other than the obvious one. In this case, he is asking about life, but doesn't want a real answer. He wants to be able to live through the meaning.

500

“One is free on a boat. For a time. Relatively.” What device, shown through language, is show in this quote?

Symbolism. Throughout the play, the boat is an essential part. It shows that you can only semi-control the life steering ahead of you. This quote shows that you can only be so free, before something else gets in the way.

Coin Toss

100

Given the player's description in the beginning of Act II, is Stoppards play a real tragedy? (Hint: The Player said, "The bad end unhappily, the good unluckily.")

This should've been an easy question, because all alnswers are correct! By this language alone, the reader realizes that things are not always what they appear to be.

200

Rosencrantz: "--over my step over my head body! – I tell you it's all stopping to a death, it's a boding to a depth, stepping to a head, it's all heading to a dead stop –" Why exactly is there a break in this dialogue? What exactly does it represent? Hint: This is right after speaking with King Claudius.

The break in dialogue between different languages shows the transition from Shakespearian Language to that of Contemporary Language; as the dialogue before this was all Shakespearian. It represents the confusion held between what language he should be speaking, compared to that of the language Rosencrantz wants to speak in.

300

How does the author show that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead and why does he show it that way? Be Specific.

Stoppard shows the death of the characters simply by having the characters walk off stage, or exit. He shows it this way to once again reinstate that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are confused on death. Almost as if to say, they have the free will to choose how they leave the world.

400

In an allusion to Hamlet, ambassadors arrive at the very end to deliver this news. What was it?

That "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead."

500

Normally in books and plays, signs from higher powers are seen as a good thing. If this is the case, why does Guildenstern get scared at the thought of flipping coins and winning chance and fate?

Guildenstern gets scared because he wants to be in control of his life. The outcome of a flip of a coin focuses on a major issue. Is life controlled by chance or fate? If it is fate, how does one know? Guil is trying to reason, and can't. Leaving him nervous and scared.