Tom Stoppard's "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead" modernizes the renowned tragedy "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare. Told from two of Claudius's accomplices, the novel creates humor and absurdity to the notorious "Hamlet." Although the novel appears light and unintentional, it contains numerous deeper symbols and meanings. Alike, the audience serves as a major purpose in the play. Not only is the audience included to view the play, but also to serve as a means of humor too.

Because Stoppard repeatedly includes notions towards the audience, they clearly serve as a significant purpose. While darker and more serious plays act completely in their context, "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead" defies the norm. Both Ros and Guil make visual and verbal references to the audience. The audience represents the existence of reality of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead in order to show the discrepancy between real life and theatre.

While the...