Comparison between Shakespeare’s "Hamlet" and Tom Stoppard’s "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead". The Play within the Play - Comparison of Settings

This work will focus on the structural feature of the play within the play in "Hamlet" and "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead", to unveil similarities and differences of its occurrence. The first chapter will focus on the history of this feature and furthermore on ideals and inspirations for Stoppard’s play. The second chapter tries to define features of the play within the play.

The third and main chapter works out the appearances and differences of this feature in both plays. It will analyse in how far both plays inherit the different types of the category play in the play. Furthermore, this chapter will focus on stylistic means connected with the category like the ambiguous use of words or different layers of reality.

"Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead" is Tom Stoppard’s best known and most performed stage play. Its debut performance was a production by the National Theatre at the Old Vic in 1967. Despite its popularity, critics controversially discussed its artistic achievements. Robert Gordon pointed out that he does not value the play as commentary on Shakespeare’s "Hamlet", derived from an expert reading the text. For the vast majority, "Hamlet" serves as archetypal tragedy dealing with the dilemma of a sensitive individual confronted by a corrupt society and power politics. Nevertheless, only few people value the structural details of the play.