Why are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern in Denmark?

Answer 1

It says in my Hamlet book that "Claudius and Gertrude set Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, two boyhood friends of Hamlet, to spy on him to discover the cause of his apparent madness. After the returned ambassadors announce their success in stopping Fortinbras's planned invasion of Denmark, Polonius report his 'discovery' that Hamlet is mad for love. Claudius is unpersuaded but agrees to join Polonius in spying on Hamlet”.

Answer 2

Claudius wants Rosencrantz & Guildenstern to try to find out whether Hamlet is a physical danger to Claudius. Claudius is worried Hamlet might try to get the crown the same way he did, by murder. Since R & G are Hamlet's old friends, Claudius thinks Hamlet might reveal his ideas about that to them.

This is why R & G speak of "ambition" when they talk to Hamlet. If a Prince is ambitious there's only one step up for him, and that's to become King.

By the way, "ambition" was a serious thing in Elizabethan times, where the monarchy was concerned. It was one of the accusations against the Earl of Essex that led to him being executed for treason against Queen Elizabeth I.

So that word, ambition, was a much stronger word in Elizabethan times than it is now. When R & G speak of ambition to Hamlet, it's more important than it looks to a modern reader. If Hamlet had said (which he doesn't) to R & G that, yes, he was ambitious, that alone would have been enough excuse for Claudius to lock Hamlet up in a dungeon cell.

It may not sound like much to a modern audience, but Shakespeare's original audience would have listened very carefully when they heard R & G speak of "ambition" to Hamlet, especially after the Earl of Essex was executed, in 1601.

Answer 3

The king and queen have sent for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern so that they can hang out with Hamlet and engage him in conversation. In this way they hope to find out why Hamlet is acting so oddly.

Answer 4

The king and queen have sent for them to spy on Hamlet.

Answer 5

"To visit you, my lord, no other occasion". Hamlet doesn't believe this for a minute.

Answer 6

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern ostensibly see Hamlet to cheer their good friend. In reality, they are spying for King Claudius.

Answer 7

They are to spy on Hamlet.