Fate's Fate
...y percent chance of landing on tails. In other situations sometimes the result is higher on one side rather the other. Often when things do not go as expected, fate seems like the only explanation to calm the mind of a human from what life’s decisions have brought them. Knowing this information it is hard to tell whether or not the coin was destined to land one way or the other, especially with so few options. A human, such as Rosencrantz, has many options to choose from. His life is not based on the flip of a coin, but by the power of his mind and the decisions he makes with it. In the novel Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead the end of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern’s lives is questioned with fate. Were Rosencrantz and Guildenstern fated to die? Or, did they make that decision for themselves? Looking at the facts in the novel, the answer is they made the decision themselves. Although it may have not been a deliberate decision, actions they chose to make lead up to that result. It all started at the beginning of the play when Rosencrantz and Guildenstern chose to travel to Denmark. Nobody forced them to see King Claudius. It was their choice. They were asked to come and calm their childhood friend in a manner to figure out his depression and madness. Out of friendship for Hamlet they chose to consult him on behalf of the King. This was the first step of their choice towards death. If they had not have traveled to Denmark they would have avoided their death in England all together. The events that took place in Denmark also affected their final chapter. While in Denmark they do as the King asks, but do not leave afterwards. They remain in the castle and become caught up in Hamlet’s madness. They do this until Polonius is killed and they are requested to travel with Hamlet to England and deliver a letter from one King to the other. This very action may not have been avoided unless they chose not to have traveled to Denmark. While on the ship to England Rosencrantz and Guildenstern make their ultimate choice in life. This is the action that caused them to lose their liv...