Hamlet Paper: A Perspective on the Role of Friends. In the play Hamlet written by William Shakespeare, Shakespeare portrays the emotions of a young man, and through the actions of his characters, allow the reader to understand the protagonist even without having similar experiences. Throughout the play, the reader is introduced to several of Hamlet’s friends who are minor characters, and while they seemingly have no effect on the plot, the actions of Hamlet’s friends toward him and their behavior constructs the environment Hamlet had to live in, and also gives reason to his decisions. Without the presence of his friends, Hamlet becomes irrational and incomprehensible to the reader, and only with his interactions with them can the reader empathize …show more content…
Originally called to the castle by the King and Queen to discover the roots of Hamlet’s depressed state, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern end up staying longer and participating in more events. During Hamlet’s first encounter with them, they consistently denied that they were sent for until Hamlet states, “But let me conjure you, by/ The rights of our fellowship, by the consonancy of our/ Youth, by the obligation of our ever-preserved love/ And by what more dear a better proposer could/ Charge you withal: be even and direct with me/ Whether you were sent for or no (II.ii. 306-311). By bringing up their friendship and already revealing he knows the reason why they are there even after much denial, is a blatant betrayal in itself. After hearing them confess, Hamlet displays his mistrust in them, expressing to them, “I will tell you why. So shall my anticipation prevent your discovery, and your secrecy to the king and queen moult no feather” (II.ii.316-318). In this one sentence, he articulates that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern's true loyalties lie with the King, and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern do not deny that. Later, before Hamlet leaves on his voyage to England, Claudius asks that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern accompany Hamlet to England because Hamlet is too crazy, and the pair respond with, “We will ourselves provide/ Most holy and religious fear it is/ To keep those many, many bodies safe/ That live and feed upon your majesty”(III.iii.5-11), showing that they are willingly providing their services against Hamlet so they can “soak up the King’s countenance, his rewards, [and] his authorities”(IV.ii.15-16). Additionally, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern seamlessly resemble one person, and are constantly together; with Hamlet, they form a triangle that has an asymmetrical power path resulting in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern benefiting from the friendship with Hamlet through his high status,