Bounds of Fate A look at Existentialism in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead
Tom Stoppard’s play, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, deals with the existentialist philosophy that our existence is unexplainable, that we are fighting a losing battle against a hostile universe that could care less if we live or die so long as we complete our purpose for existence. This general theme is reinforced by Stoppard’s character development to deemphasize the sense of identity while stressing the importance of various outlooks and experiences of each character, allowing for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to have different personalities without independent identities. ... Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are two literary figures that are bound to the parameters set before them by the direction of the play and can only remember what is necessary for their fulfillment of purpose. ... Existentialist thought regarding freedom of choice is shown in the play, but is deemed meaningless as the fate of the characters have already been chosen. Stoppard emphasizes the fact that the law of probability has ceased to function (using a coin that always lands on heads), thus signifying that Ros and Guil are no longer (nor ever were) free to make decisions that will effect the outcome, being restrained by their inevitable fate.