Rosencrantz and Guildenstern as Hamlet's fools In William Shakespeare's Hamlet, Prince Hamlet replaces the letter that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are taking to England with a forgery of his own creation , thus sending these two men to their deaths. He does this without a second thought and never suffers any guilt or remorse for his actions. Considering that these two men had been friends since his youth, this would at first seem to reflect negatively on his character. However, one must carefully consider the characters of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern before passing judgment on Hamlet. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are sent by the king and queen to spy on Hamlet and find out why he is "making this mess" (III, i.2) . While some are fooled by Hamlet's act of madness, the king is not. He is convinced that it is a fiction and, being a cunning man himself, suspects that Hamlet is up to something. Having obtained the throne through deception and murder, he believes Hamlet capable of the same. Although King Claudius is evil, he is no fool and would never have sent for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern if they had been such close friends of Hamlet. They are even told openly that they will be rewarded for their efforts (II, ii. 21-6). The very fact that they undertake this task for the king is proof enough of their lack of love and loyalty towards Hamlet. Despite their actions, Prince Hamlet gives them ample opportunity to show their loyalty by admitting that they were sent for and why. By showing so much reluctance, they prove themselves to be allies of the king. Hamlet asks them to "be honest and straight with me, whether you have been called or not." But after this direct question, Rosencrantz s......middle of paper......we warn. In any case, they are truly fools and ultimately die a fool's death. They carry in the form of a letter the king's order to have Hamlet beheaded upon his arrival in England. Hamlet mistakes the letter for a forgery and seals it with a likeness of the king's seal. The new letter orders the deaths of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, so that they bring their own death sentences to their executioners. These unfaithful "friends" are served poetic justice. Works Cited Frye, Northrop. 1991. Northrop Frye on Shakespeare London: MacMillan.Girard, A Theater of Envy: William Shakespeare New York: Oxford University Press, 1991Shakespeare, William. The tragedy of Hamlet Prince of Denmark. New York: Washington Square Press, 1992Watt, Cedric. Hamlet Twayne New critical introduction to Shakespeare; Boston: Twayne, 1988.