Rosencrantz & Guildenstern PART 2

PART 2: Act 2 Rosencrantz  & Guildenstern

Hamlet is confronting Guildenstern and Marcellus as to why they really came to see him and the confess they have been sent by Claudius to find out what is wrong with him.

ROSENCRANTZ

(to GUILDENSTERN) What say you?

HAMLET

Nay, then, I have an eye of you—If you love me, hold not off.

GUILDENSTERN

My lord, we were sent for.

(2.2. 311-315)

Here, the readers get a glimpse at how there two characters behave and it is apparent that they are more like one person, not two individuals.  They have to speak off to the side to one another before one of them finally agrees to tell Hamlet.  Through out the rest of the act the carry on conversation with Hamlet and it’s almost as if one person is speaking to Hamlet instead of both of them.  They share a brain in a sense.  They are so dependent on one another, Rosencrantz can't even make the decision to tell Hamlet on his own.  He must consult Guildenstern first asking "What say you" (311).  Also when Hamlet say "If you love me, hold not off" (314) he is revealing the close bond he has had with theses two characters since child hood.  He doesn't have to manipulate them in this scene, rather, he simply addresses their special relationship and Guildenstern simple admits "my lord we are sent for"(315).  Hamlet also shows how well he knows these two when he says "Nay, then, I have an eye of you." (313).  He expresses that he can tell when something is bothering them and that, at that moment, he is suspicious.  This gives the reader further insight on just how well these three know each other.