Rosencrantz And Guildenstern In William Shakespeare's Hamlet

Like most main characters in Shakespeare’s works, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern of Hamlet, The Prince of Denmark are significant characters. Like the other cast members, they want to find out what is causing Hamlet’s distress, though their motivations are empty, only doing it for Claudius and the reward. Claudius directly contacts them himself to question Hamlet and help him figure out the situation with Hamlet’s behavior. Then act as servants for Claudius after they have failed. These companions are just in it for the benefits and do not care about what is wrong with Hamlet, doing anything his majesty orders. Claudius wished to see why Hamlet was acting so strange and he needed someone else to find out for him. So he hired the two characters in question, “Your visitation shall receive such thanks As fits a king’s remembrance.” (Act Two, Scene 2, lines 25-26). He chose Rosencrantz and Guildenstern believing they would have an advantage due to their relations in the past, “That, being of so young days brought up with him, And sith so neighbored to his youth and havior,” (Act Two, Scene 2, lines 11-12) “And sure I
am two men there are not living To whom he more adheres.” (Act Two, Scene 2, lines 20-21). Both accept and immediately set out to find Hamlet, eager to fulfill the majesties’ wish. Later, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern locate Hamlet and try to talk to him. However, Hamlet saw through the ruse, “But your news is not true.” (Act Two, Scene 2, lines 246-247), “Were you not sent for? Is it your own inclining? Is is a free visitation? Come, deal justly with me.” (Act Two, Scene 2, lines 285-287). Yet they still try to get him out of his sorrow and fake insanity with players, which in a later act, actually serves Hamlet in confirming Claudius’ guilt. Even after their failure at bringing Hamlet out of his insanity act, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are still put to work by the king.
He has them send Hamlet to speak with Gertrude, “She desires to speak with you in her closet, ere you go to bed.” (Act Three, Scene 2, lines 327-328). Claudius also speaks with them about his plan to dispose of Hamlet and used the two of them to escort him to England, “I your commission will forthwith dispatch, And he to England shall along with you.” (Act Three, Scene 4, lines 3-4). Later they ask Hamlet where the body of Polonius is so that their employer can have it properly disposed of, “What have you done, my lord, with the dead body?” (Act Four, Scene 2, lines 5-6) and bring him to Claudius when he does not answer them, “Ho, Guildenstern! bring in my lord. Now, Hamlet, where’s Polonius?” (Act Four, Scene 3, lines
16-17). If they truly cared about Hamlet, one would think they wouldn’t go through with Claudius’ plan. However, they are only seeking personal gain by pleasing the king’s wicked wishes. They showed no compassion for sorrowful Hamlet once the prince saw through their trick, even before that, the care showed for him was to lull the rightful ruler out of his facade. Their only motivation is to profit after these series of events.