​Act 1 Summary

 

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are introduced as they are in the middle of a their coin spinning game. The object of the game is to call out the correct side of the coin before it lands. Rosencrantz continually wins as the coin as landed on heads eighty-five times in a row. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern attempt to hypothesize the probability and meaning of this new found record. They believe the world they are in is working under unnatural forces. Later, a band of players arrive who are willing to peform for a price. The band also offers other services that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern do not accept. Guildenstern asks them if they would like to bet on a coin toss. They play several times, and each time the coins come down heads. The Player begins to protest, but Guildenstern keeps going. The troupe loses and admits that they have no money. The troupe Alfred, a young boy, as payment. The scene transitions as Ophelia and Hamlet enter with King Claudius and Gertrude. Claudius demands that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern determine what is the matter with Hamlet. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern decide to play a game of questions to get to the bottom of it. The game starts as a failure but ends up being a stepping stone to the root of Hamlet's sorrows. The act ends with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern meeting Hamlet for discussion.

Act 2 Summary

The conversation continues between Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and Hamlet. Polonius interjects and reveals that he has news for Hamlet. Hamlet leaves the scene abruptly with Polonius. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern continue to speculate the sorrows and madness of Hamlet. Hamlet reenters with the Tragedians and exclaims that they will be performing The Murder of Gonzago. They begin to discuss the play that will be performed the next day. The next day, the play begins as the Players rehearse a day dumb show. The show reveals the death of the King and his brother ascending to the throne. As Polonius enters with Ophelia he claims that Hamlet will be sent to England. The rehearsal begins again and is stopped by Rosencrantz who believes that the spies in the play resemble himself and Guildenstern. The Player reveals that there are eight deaths in the play and that the death in the plays mimic life. The act ends with Hamlet dragging Polonius body as he deemed the killer of Polonius. Hamlet is exiled to England.

 

Act 3 Summary

Rosencrantz and Guildstern remain on the bottom with Hamlet and are befuddled what to do with him. As they remain restless in the boat they attempt at small talk which ends with Rosencrantz continuing to repeat Hamlet. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern realize that they do not know what will happen in England. They attempt to role play what will happen when they meet the English king. After doubt of what the goal of the mission is Guildenstern believes they must stick with Hamlet. Hamlet arises and takes the letter and puts it back in place. The next morning it is revealed that the Tragedians are inside the barrels on the ship. The Tragedians had also made Claudius mad and were forced to escape. The anger actors surround Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.  Guildenstern takes a knife and thrust it into the Player plays dead. . The actors dressed as Rosencrantz and Guildenstern die as part of the theater. Rosencrantz realizes the end is near and wonders how they were caught up in this terrible situation. . Rosencrantz announces that he is glad to be done with it all, and he vanishes from the stage. An English man announces that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead. Horatio enters and discusses the tragedy.