compare and contrast the ways in which william shakespears Hamlet and Rosencrantz and guildenstern dead by tom stoppard reflect the values of the context in which they were written
...urdism and the philosophical theory of Existentialism. This theory of Existentialism is evident in R&G. The theory states that man controls his own destiny and forces that are outside our control do not govern us. The universe is not an ordered, determined system, rather a totally unpredictable and random phenomenon. We must establish our own identity by exploring our relationship with the world around us and looking at the experiences that have shaped us. Thus, we are constantly unsure of our own significance in life and incapable of explaining the unknown beyond death. On the other hand, in an Existentialists world, man has the freedom to be the master of his own destiny that determines his fate. In the contemporary world, faith has less significance amongst the ‘common man’ and Existentialism is further embraced as a way of life, therefore the context of which R&G were written have greatly altered the values. Stoppard did not intentionally build the Existentialism into his play; however, the emergence of this modern philosophy was a pivotal aspect in the inevitable influence in the outcome of Hamlet into a contemporary metamorphosis of this play. The evidence, which proves this, is the aspect in the theory that states we must establish our own identity by exploring our relationship with the world around us and looking at the experiences that have shaped us, is evident in the predicaments that R&G have to face. R&G confuse their own identity abundantly. The explorations of the world around them, and the experiences that have shape the characters have failed R&G through their lack of individuality. “How I used to remember my own name - and yours” The theory of Existentialism is further illustrated in R&G in the aspect that states, we are unsure of our significance in life and incapable of explaining the unknown beyond death. This is evident in R&G when Guildenstern inquires, “What’s it all for”, further the two characters are incapable of explaining or comprehending the unknown beyond death when Rosencrantz considers the frightening possibility of being stuck in a coffin. “You’d wake up dead, then where would you be?” Again is reinforced in R&G in that the aspect that states that man has the freedom to be the master of his own destiny that determines his fate. R&G cannot comprehend this significance, and therefore have become slaves to their own incompetence. To which their fate becomes pre-determined on the grounds that they need purpose from the directions of others. “We need Hamlet for our release” This theory of Existentialism not only gives valuable insight into the characters but also highlights how the context has changed the reflected values and the significance of the two plays. The values that are conveyed in both plays confront the universal themes of death, fate and destiny, self-interest and appearances verses reality. Although both plays represent these themes alike, the context in which they are written gives an alternate representation through a contempo...