ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -The pair go and see Hamlet, who is excited to see them, but he soon realizes that they are not there with honest intentions. Hamlet mistrusts them because he knows that they are spying on him for his uncle, who wants Hamlet dead.

Detailed explanation-2: -Before Hamlet goes to see Gertrude, he confronts his two old friends. He knows that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern have been employed by Claudius and his mother to investigate him and he tells them that he’s not easily manipulated.

Detailed explanation-3: -The Ghost appears to Hamlet again and tells him that he was murdered by Claudius. He orders Hamlet to avenge his murder, and Hamlet agrees. Claudius has invited two of Hamlet’s college friends, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, to Elsinore in the hope that they will be able to figure out what is bothering Hamlet.

Detailed explanation-4: -Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are childhood friends of Hamlet who do not visit Hamlet of their own volition; instead, they are summoned by the king and queen to distract Hamlet from his depressed state. Hamlet recognizes immediately that these two “friends” are merely opportunists, following his uncle’s orders.

Detailed explanation-5: -How does Hamlet feel about Rosencrantz and Guildenstern? Why? He know they were sent by the king and queen when he saw the guilty look in their eyes after he asked if they had come on their own free will. He knew they would be honest.