Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead by Tom Stoppard

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead by Tom Stoppard was originally on my Modern Literature syllabus, but time constraints relegated it to the dustbin. When I saw it was written by Tom Stoppard, who also wrote my favorite movie, Shakespeare in Love, I felt duty-bound to read it.

The point of the book is to follow the story of Hamlet by focusing on two minor characters, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. They are Hamlet's boyhood chums and tasked by the king and queen with finding out what is wrong with Hamlet and ultimately to carry order to the king of England to execute Hamlet. Their journey goes awry and it is they who are executed. In the wrap-up of the original play, the audience is informed, "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead." Tom Stoppard picks up this line and develops a whole play around how that come to be.

It was nothing like the movie except the Shakespearean references. It was ok. Very goofy. Certainly a quick read, but not something I'd highly recommend.